以儒道两家的生死观审视今日之安乐死

迄今为止,安乐死在我国仍未获得合法地位,是一个悬而未决的难点。我国传统文化中的儒道两家皆持一种自然主义的生死观,既不强求生,亦不逃避死,而是一切顺其自然,并从学理上肯定了有价值的死亡。儒道两家的这种生死态度与安乐死的精神理念不谋而合,因而可以为安乐死的合法性提供合理的理论依据。

A Confucian and Taoist Approach to Euthanasia

Up to date, euthanasia remains controversial and illegal in China. As a matter of fact, when we look into traditional Chinese culture, we envisage some philosophical elements identical with those in favor of euthanasia. As two major doctrines of ideology, both Confucianism and Taoism advocate a naturalist view of life and death. They believe that human life is a natural process that is neither to be prolonged nor escaped. They also acknowledge meaningful death. Therefore, the two doctrines may well help to justify euthanasia.