Episode 41: Go Gentle Into That Good Night (Dying, But Not Alone - Joshua Briscoe)

We Might Be Tables

This episode contains heavy and lengthy discussions about death, suicide, ageing, euthanasia, and disease. Please listen at your own discretion.
"Death before dishonour" - an idea that has consistently cropped up for centuries, in cultures the world over: from the samurai in ancient Japan to soldiers in present-day militaries. Seemingly, the notion of "laying down" one's morals is so aversive that one would much rather choose death. Today, said "dishonour" often equates to a loss of control over one's life upon getting older. With age comes illness and disease, and the necessary dependence on friends and family, or even institutional care systems, such as old-age homes or hospitals. The question is: why do we equate ageing (or a loss of control) with a loss of dignity?
In a fantastic paper titled "Dying, But Not Alone", Dr Joshua Briscoe writes, "We can’t support those who say that their lives have become undignified by the logic taught to them by a culture that makes autonomy the basis for dignity."
We must remember here that there are nuances to consider (more on those in the episode), but the point is that absolute autonomy is nothing more than an illusion. We lack both the biological and social ability to have complete control over our lives and bodies. Dr Briscoe uses such an idea as the basis for their argument for dependence in old-age being dignified, even desirable. Primarily, Briscoe responds to a New York Times article that speaks in support of physician-assisted suicide and highlights the importance of tackling the taboo surrounding ageing rather than (or at the very least, in conjunction with) laws that allow for physician-assisted suicide.

In this episode, we explore the idea of dignity in death and sharing the burden of pain as we grow older.
Links:
Dying, But Not Alone by Joshua Briscoe
When Patients Choose to End Their Lives in The New York Times
Watch Euthanasia on Reddit