Dying a Lonely Death: A Conceptual and Normative Analysis
Zohar Lederman1, Hku Hong Kong 1Hku, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
Abstract
This paper argues that a lonely death is by definition a bad death, and that society as a whole as well as individuals in society are obligated to assure a certain degree of well-being, flourishing, or care among and for fellow individuals. Individuals can then be said to have a right against dying a lonely death. Such a right has corresponding duties. The paper further specifies what such duties may entail based on what individuals may need on their deathbed, specifically focusing on the need for human touch. Assuming that human touch might indeed be needed by some individuals in order to avoid a lonely death, the paper explores potential implications from a public health perspective, particularly during infectious disease outbreaks such as Covid.
Biography
Zohar is an emergency medicine physician and a postdoctoral fellow at the Medical Ethics and Humanities Unit, Hong Kong University.