Cont.

A Theology of Death

A. Distinction

B. The Mortality of Humans

C. The Issue–how to overcome thanatos with zoe within impending nekros

1. Ecclesiastes 3.2–accept finitude and not play God

2. Psalm 90.9-12–wisdom is more important guaranteed life and health

3. life’s goal is not its continuation but enough bios (longevity and health) to reach zoe

Who Should Get Health Care?

A. Daniel Callahan, "Limiting Health Care for the Old?"

1. the old take too much from health dollars to prolong a life beyond it’s natural life span

2. "natural life span"–it’s a natural fact and also based on what is a full life which needs definition

3. three guidelines: a) a duty to help live out natural life span; not extend it; b) need more technology to reach natural life span; c) duty to relieve suffering, not extend beyond natural life span.

B. Amitai Etzioni, "Spare the Old, Save the Young"

1. fear of slippery slope–if deny health care to the old, then will begin to deny it others who are risky and also to all non-beneficial health care;

2. who is the elderly is to elusive a definition; 3. denying it to the old will create social problems–envy

Conflict Between Private and Public Needs

A. Are there limits to confidentiality? Yes Mark Siegler, "Confidentiality in Medicine: A Decrepit Concept"

1. the "duty to protect" others is more important than the "right of confidentiality" to the patient

2. to balance the two principles–a) only those who need to know should know; b) patients should be told who knows; c) patients can review their records

B. No Michael Kottow, "Medical Confidentiality: An Intransigent and Absolute Obligation"

1. loss of absolute confidentiality jeopardizes the doctor-patient relationship which is necessary for health

2. to break confidentiality introduces arbitrary and paternalistic concerns into the patient-doctor relationship