Thinking About End of Life in Teleological Terms

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Published: Sep 26, 2015
DOI: https://doi.org/10.13153/diam.45.2015.793
Keywords:
bioethics Aristotelian fundamentalist end of life telos eudaimonia death illness suffering virtue

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Paolo Biondi
University of Sudbury
Rachel Haliburton
University of Sudbury

Abstract

This brief paper presents an Aristotelian-inspired approach to end-of-life decision making. The account focuses on the importance of teleology, in particular, the telos of eudaimonia understood as the goal of human flourishing as well as the telos of medicine when a person’s eudaimonia is threatened by serious illness and death. We argue that an Aristotelian bioethics offers a better alternative to a “fundamentalist bioethics” since the telos of eudaimonia (i) offers a more realistic conception of the self and the realities of frailty and mortality, (ii) provides a more objective basis for making decisions regarding end-of-life treatment and care, and (iii) is better able to resist the pull of the Technological Imperative. In addition, this teleological concept is flexible enough for it to be employed in multicultural and pluralistic societies.

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How to Cite
Biondi, Paolo, and Rachel Haliburton. 2015. “Thinking About End of Life in Teleological Terms”. Diametros, no. 45 (September):1-18. https://doi.org/10.13153/diam.45.2015.793.
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No. 45 (2015)
Section
Special Topic – Aristotelian Recources of Bioethics

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Author Biographies

Paolo Biondi, University of Sudbury

Dr. Paolo Biondi Associate Professor and ChairDepartment of PhilosophyUniversity of Sudbury935 Ramsey Lake RoadSudbury, ON P3E 2C6CANADA

E-mail: pbiondi@usudbury.ca

Rachel Haliburton, University of Sudbury

Dr. Rachel HaliburtonAssociate ProfessorDepartment of PhilosophyUniversity of Sudbury935 Ramsey Lake RoadSudbury, ON P3E 2C6CANADA

E-mail: rhaliburton@usudbury.ca

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