Abstract

This paper deliberates on one of the all-time issues in philosophy, theology, (bio)ethics and medicine, that is, the issue of death and dying, placing it in a contemporary context. Namely, contemporary medicine with its expanding knowledge in the field of biomedical science and technology requires a new approach in determination of its goals. Nowadays, more than ever, these goals need a revision from an interdisciplinary point of view. Exactly in the context of those goals, the issue of death and dying should be approached, taking into account four entities known in clinical bioethics, i.e. the bioethical classification of death and dying: euthanasia, mysthanasia, dysthanasia and orthothanasia.

Key-words:

Dignity, Death, Attitude to death, Medical futility, Prolongation of life, Extraordinary treatment, Euthanasia.