The Socio-Ethical Implications of Euthanasia on the Contemporary Nigerian Society

Abstract

It is not uncommon to hear some people argue and conclude that a life that is full of or characterized by suffering, pain, anguish and sorrow is one that is not worth living. For this group, suffering, pain, anguish and sorrow all obviate the very meaning, essence and worth of life. For them, the individual or person is better dead than ‘living’ in regret and pain and will eventually end up dead as death is a final end to all suffering and also part of human existence. This stream of thought unequivocally supports the practice called and known as “Euthanasia” i.e. mercy killing. It is the aim of this paper to attempt an analysis of the justification or otherwise of resorting to Euthanasia as a justifiable means of escape from suffering, pain, sorrow and anguish. If Euthanasia were to be freely practiced or legalized, would there be any social and ethical implications for the contemporary world and if it proves to be the better way out of meaninglessness, then how best can it be practiced?