Euthanasia in South Africa: a normative analysis and application of dignity

Abstract

This research report aims to assess the meaning of dignity in philosophy and the law and apply this interpretation to allow for the permission of euthanasia in South Africa. Appeals to dignity used by both those in favour of and opposed to euthanasia are deliberated. Theories of dignity and its applications in South African Law are outlined followed by a classification of dignity as either intrinsic or extrinsic. Interpretations of this overview forms the basis of my argument that human beings have extrinsic dignity, derived from an inherent, intrinsic dignity that can be extended to include the right to die with dignity. I conclude by claiming that at the end-of-life, a terminally ill, cognitively unimpaired person should be allowed to choose death by euthanasia. I support this claim by arguing that the loss of extrinsic dignity in such situations can reasonably outweigh the value of one’s own intrinsic dignity.