| Ancient euthanasia: 'good death' and the doctor in the graeco-Roman world. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 14732610 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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This article maps the concept of 'good death' (euthanasia) in the ancient world and explores the marginal role of the doctor at a 'good dying'. His assistance was not needed when the Homeric warrior died as a hero and was expected to accept death with resignation. Later the city-state regarded as heroes the men fallen for the cause of the community, honouring these model citizens as those who died well. In the more individualistic age of Hellenism and the Roman Empire, a death in luxury or without suffering could be styled euthanasia. The doctor had neither a place in those acts of dying nor in cases of natural death. He shunned death as a failure of his art. Sometimes a doctor was called in to assist in voluntary death, a role that was not forbidden by the Hippocratic oath. An appeal to this oath by opponents of euthanasia in the modern sense of the word therefore is mistaken. |
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Authors:
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Anton J L Van Hooff |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Historical Article; Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Social science & medicine (1982) Volume: 58 ISSN: 0277-9536 ISO Abbreviation: Soc Sci Med Publication Date: 2004 Mar |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2004-01-20 Completed Date: 2004-04-06 Revised Date: 2004-11-17 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 8303205 Medline TA: Soc Sci Med Country: England |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 975-85 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of Ancient History, Nijmegen University, Erasmusplein 1, room 10.05, NL-6525HT Nijmegen, The Netherlands. a.v.hoof@let.kun.nl |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Attitude to Death Ethics, Clinical Euthanasia / ethics, history*, psychology Greek World / history* Hippocratic Oath History, Ancient Humans Netherlands Physician's Role / history* Roman World / history* Suicide, Assisted / ethics, history*, psychology |
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