Debating Death #2: How Will Legal Euthanasia Affect the Medical Profession?
Acceptance of Physician-Assisted Suicide Changes what it Means to be a Doctor This is a second in a series of “Debating Death” articles which examine ethical, political, medical, legal, social and cultural aspects of legalizing euthanasia. In the previous article, I examined whether liberal societies should legalize euthanasia out of respect for personal autonomy of individuals. As […]
Debating Death #1: Should Liberal Societies Legalize Euthanasia?
Bodily Autonomy, Negative Liberty, and Positive Freedom This is a first in a series of “Debating Death” articles which thematize ethical, political, medical, legal, social and cultural aspects of legalizing euthanasia. It is commonly understood that liberal societies are based on a concept of negative liberty. The notion was first introduced by Hobbes in Leviathan […]
My Experience with the I and Thou reading by Martin Buber
I and Thou, I-Thou, and I-It Martin Buber was a prominent twentieth-century philosopher, religious thinker, political activist, and educator. Born in Austria, he spent most of his life in Germany and Israel, writing in German and Hebrew. He is best known for his 1923 book, Ich und Du (I and Thou), which distinguishes […]
Palliative Care and Human Dignity
The objectives of the medicine could be summarized into two: to preserve life and to relieve suffering. However, as the end of life gets closer, the alleviation of suffering acquires more importance, as the preservation of life is no longer possible. At a certain point, terminally ill patients may decide not to continue treatment with […]
What is Cultural Identity?
Does Culture Shape our Identity? Cultural identity was one topic of many during the four days of the International Solidarity Forum (ISF). The forum was packed with lectures and presentations from experts and distinguished speakers. Professor Carlo Lancelloti spoke about the “new form of totalitarianism” that has taken over our contemporary times. Dr. Ethan Haim, […]
The Death of Adoption: Surrogacy Buyers’ Market Puts Children in Need at a Disadvantage
Adoption vs. Surrogacy Adoption is in trouble due to competition from the surrogacy industry. Adoption procedures were designed with the sole purpose of protecting the best interests of the child. But this cornerstone of family policy is suffering at the hands of a new model that is developing, a model which prioritizes consumers preferences and […]
Winter on Fire – Ukraine’s Fight For Freedom
What was Winter on Fire? In just 93 days, what started as peaceful student demonstrations became a violent revolution. The documentary Winter on Fire brings you the story of Ukraine’s fight for freedom from the front lines of the 2014 uprising. What Happened? Winter on Fire provides an interesting in-depth look at the Ukrainian uprising […]
No, a UN Committee Did Not Affirm Abortion as a Human Right
English A recent article on the Huffington Post claimed in its title that a United Nations committee had recognized abortion as a human right in the complaint of K.L. against Peru. However, the article misrepresents international law and the actual report. Not only is abortion not a right in international law, no U.N. committee has […]
Human Dignity and Totalitarianism (An Excerpt from the WYA Certified Training Program)
English Lecture given at Schloss Neuwaldegg, Vienna, November 5, 2004 It is a great honor and with real humility that I address you today. I am a young citizen of the West; I grew up in Canada and the United States, and have had the privileges, securities, freedoms and joys that such an experience brings. […]
HDC is the Best Holistic Approach for Sex Education
This is the second in a two-part series describing WYA’s innovative Human Dignity Curriculum (HDC). Please click here to see part one. The approach taken by WYA in developing the Human Dignity Curriculum (HDC) and its associated optional teenFEMM module is multi-layered. The HDC is an effective personal development education program, patterned on proven strategies, which […]