EUTHANASIA: IS IT ACT OF MERCY OR CRUEL MURDER? PSYCHOLOGICAL AND LEGAL CONSIDERATION

Abstract

The article deals with such an ambiguous and complex phenomenon as euthanasia, the legalization of which depends on the answer to the question about its essence. The most complete and meaningful definition of the concept implies that it is a deliberate act of a medical practitioner committed in accordance with the explicitly and unambiguously made request of the patient or his/her legal representative in order to terminate the physical and mental suffering, which is fatal according to medical indicators, and results in his/her death. In this context, there are two opposing views on the essence of the phenomenon: it is either a violation of the right to life or the realization of the right to death. The attitudes of young people to euthanasia as a phenomenon on the basis of “Acme” (for future psychologists and social workers) and “Leader of Law” (for future lawyers) Professional Development Schools, functioning at the Faculty of Law of the Ternopil National Economic University, have been examined before and after implementing a specially designed training program aimed at the development of mercy. As a result, the number of the respondents who believe euthanasia should be legalized in Ukraine, has increased after the training.