Read the memoir “When Breath Becomes Air” and write a research paper on the ethical dilemmas of end of life care and how it relates to Paul’s own life and story in the memoir. The paper needs to include a thesis, claims and arguments.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Ethical Dilemmas of End-of-Life Care in “When Breath Becomes Air”
Thesis Statement
In “When Breath Becomes Air,” Paul Kalanithi navigates the complex ethical dilemmas of end-of-life care as both a doctor and a patient, revealing how personal experience shapes the understanding of mortality, decision-making, and the value of life itself. Kalanithi’s narrative challenges us to consider the nuances of patient autonomy, the definition of a meaningful life, and the moral responsibilities of healthcare providers.
Introduction
“When Breath Becomes Air” is a poignant memoir that chronicles Paul Kalanithi’s journey from neurosurgeon to terminal cancer patient. Through his dual perspective, Kalanithi confronts the ethical dilemmas inherent in end-of-life care, including issues of autonomy, quality of life, and the role of medical professionals in guiding patients through their final days. His experiences highlight the complexities of making decisions about treatment and care when facing one’s mortality.
Claim 1: The Struggle for Patient Autonomy
Kalanithi’s memoir emphasizes the importance of patient autonomy in end-of-life care. As a physician, he understood the need for patients to make informed decisions about their treatment. However, when he became a patient himself, he faced the harsh reality that his autonomy was compromised by the limitations of his condition.
Argument
– Informed Consent: Kalanithi grapples with what it means to give informed consent when facing terminal illness. Despite being a medical expert, he acknowledges his vulnerability and the difficulty of making choices that align with his values and desires.
– Balancing Hope and Realism: Kalanithi illustrates the tension between hope for recovery and the acceptance of impending death. He reflects on how healthcare providers must navigate this delicate balance, ensuring that patients feel empowered while also being realistic about their prognosis.
Claim 2: The Definition of a Meaningful Life
The memoir also explores what constitutes a meaningful life, particularly in the context of terminal illness. Kalanithi’s reflections challenge conventional views on success and fulfillment.
Argument
– Quality vs. Quantity: Kalanithi argues that quality of life should take precedence over mere survival. His experiences prompt readers to reconsider what it means to live well, especially when facing limitations imposed by illness.
– Personal Values: Kalanithi’s journey leads him to reevaluate his priorities—family, purpose, and love become paramount. This shift underscores the ethical responsibility of healthcare providers to engage patients in conversations about what matters most to them at the end of life.
Claim 3: The Moral Responsibilities of Healthcare Providers
Kalanithi’s dual perspective as both physician and patient highlights the moral dilemmas faced by healthcare providers in end-of-life care.
Argument
– Empathy and Communication: The memoir emphasizes the need for empathy in patient-provider interactions. Kalanithi reflects on moments where he felt supported or dismissed by his colleagues and how those experiences influenced his care decisions.
– Navigating Complex Decisions: Healthcare professionals often face difficult choices regarding treatment options for terminally ill patients. Kalanithi’s account illustrates the ethical complexities involved in recommending palliative care versus aggressive treatment, prompting questions about beneficence and non-maleficence.
Conclusion
“When Breath Becomes Air” serves as a profound exploration of the ethical dilemmas surrounding end-of-life care. Paul Kalanithi’s journey reveals the intricate interplay between patient autonomy, the definition of a meaningful life, and the moral responsibilities of healthcare providers. As we reflect on Kalanithi’s experiences, we are reminded of the importance of fostering open dialogues about death and dying, ensuring that patients receive compassionate care tailored to their individual values and needs. Ultimately, Kalanithi’s memoir challenges us to confront our mortality with honesty and grace, advocating for a healthcare system that prioritizes the humanity of patients in their final moments.
This research paper outlines the ethical dilemmas present in “When Breath Becomes Air,” providing a comprehensive analysis of how Paul Kalanithi’s personal experiences inform these complex issues surrounding end-of-life care.
