Date of Award
1998
Degree Name
Psychology/Anthropology
College
College of Liberal Arts
Type of Degree
M.A.
Document Type
Thesis
First Advisor
Richard A. Garnett
Second Advisor
Kenneth Ambrose
Third Advisor
William Westbrook
Abstract
This research endeavor investigates the social condition of euthanasia, or physician assisted suicide. Viewed from the perspective of Karl Marx's conceptual framework of alienation, the external influences from society's institutions and from the perspective of the individual are used towards the goal of understanding the need for continued debate concerning individuals and their quest for a dignified death A core concept has been to accent a person's right to choose death when faced with terminal illness. Throughout the study a main objective has been to offer insight into the alienating influences large social structures exert upon individuals, and the manner in which the dialectic affects those dying, and the physicians and family members involved in the patient's death process.
Subject(s)
Euthanasia -- Social aspects.
Assisted suicide -- Social aspects.
Alienation (Social psychology)
Recommended Citation
Williamson, Bryan R., "Euthanasia : dignity in death, dignity in life : a qualitative approach utilizing Karl Marx's concepts of alienation, reification, and commodification in contemporary society" (1998). Theses, Dissertations and Capstones. 2153.
https://mds.marshall.edu/etd/2153
