Journal of Culture, Society and Development www.iiste.org ISSN 2422-8400 An International Peer-reviewed Journal Vol.5, 2015 1 The Socio-Ethical Implications of Euthanasia on the Contemporary Nigerian Society Edogiawerie, Morris. K.O. Fidelia O. Edogiawerie Department of Philosophy, College of Arts and Social Sciences, Igbinedion University Okada. Edo State morrisedos@yahoo.com 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? Introduction Many scholars, especially philosophers (thinkers) have often asked what life is and what its purpose is. Put differently, what is man, where is he from and what is his purpose here on earth? The debate led, in many quarters, to the conclusion that there is a distinction between living and existing. That is, between living and existing, one is much more meaningful and purposeful than the other. A school of thought has it that to ‘live’ is much more meaningful and worthwhile than to exist. To live, therefore, means to enjoy life to the fullest in every sense of living: comfort, impact, significance etc. Another school of thought hold that to ‘exist’ means to have breath, sleep every night and wake up the next day but finds no meaning or purpose for doing this every day. To merely exist imply not having access to any, some of, or all of the basic necessities of life. For instance Heidegger conclude that although man finds himself in a world not of his own design he must nevertheless set out to find meaning and purpose to his existence otherwise despair and aguish overtakes him. (Heidegger, M: 1973) It is worthy, in other to foster a good comprehension and appreciation of this paper, to delve in to an in- depth conceptual clarification of the term or word “Euthanasia”. Thereafter, it would be pertinent to attempt to draw a nexus between Human life and Euthanasia. It would also be necessary to consider the implications and challenges if Euthanasia were to be legalized and practiced in our society, e.g. Nigeria and other human societies. Meaning of Euthanasia Euthanasia is a very controversial issue in ethics (morality) due to the end result of the action and the situation surrounding the decision of the act of euthanasia. A school of thought support euthanasia while another school of thought vehemently opposes it. So what is euthanasia? Many scholars and moralists thinkers have given numerous definitions of the term basically owing to their belief, disposition, orientation or personal experiences. Etymologically, euthanasia is referred to as “a good death”. This definition is obtained from two Latin words “eu” meaning “well or good” and “thanatos” meaning “death”. Put together, therefore, i.e. “euthatanos”, means “good death”, “well death or dying well” (Echekwube, A: 1996) The implication here is that there is a good as well as a bad death, and this raises the question what is a good and what is a bad death? Can there be a good death when death is the end of it all? Some conclude that death is death no matter what The oxford Advanced Learners’ Dictionary of current English refers to euthanasia “as a mercifully easy and painless death for persons suffering from incurable and painful diseases”. (Hornby, A.S: 2000) It is also known as a gentle and easy death. Agidigbi, attempts to furnish a working definition of euthanasia as follows: …the willful, direct or indirect killing of the incurably sick, be it at their request or the request of the parents, guardians or any other representatives in the case of incurables who are incapable of deciding for themselves, e.g. infants, the irrevocable comatose and mental defectives. (Agidigbi, 2005) Singer, himself interprets euthanasia as the killing of those who are incurably ill and in great pain or distress, for the sake of those killed, and in order to spare them from further suffering or distress. (Singer, 1993)