Philosophical Aspects of Thanatology in Palliative Care: Ad Impossibilia Nemo Obligatur (Review)

Abstract

The data from literary sources have been summarized to highlight contemporary concepts of providing palliative care and understanding the thanatological aspects of the palliative care philosophy. The possibilities of forming an alternative philosophy of palliative care are considered. Objective of this analysis was to considering the philosophical aspects of thanatology in the alternative philosophy of palliative care. The alternative philosophy of palliative care prompts many ethical and philosophical questions about the future of palliative care itself. Thanatological aspects of it have potential for solving theoretical and practical problem of contemporary palliative care not only in sphere of relief of the patient’s suffering, but preparing the patient for death. Objectively, this applies to the entire process of palliative care, not only in the terminal stages, and includes the patient's social environment in this process, focusing attention on the problem of not physical but social death. The one of the key issue of palliative care is not preparing patient to the death only, but first of all answer to the question about death in itself. This is a philosophical problem that have the most direct connection to ontology and metaphysic, clearly outlines the external of the entire quintessence of human existence. The alternative philosophy of palliative care is directed to offering an opportunity to explore cultural, social, and personal aspects of loss, death, dying, and grief; it emphasizes effective support and collaboration with community-based services, includes topical issues in thanatology, palliative care, bereavement theories, social justice and diversity, ethical issues, social and political discourse.