Hindu views on euthanasia, suicide and abortion in the Durban area
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Authors
Ganga, Romilla Devi
Issue Date
1994-11
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Abortion , Euthanasia , Classical Hindu , Re-interpretation , Ethical , Circumstances , Interpretation
Alternative Title
Abstract
Advances in technology and medicine have greatly impacted on religious thought
and have contributed to a large extent in bringing to the fore questions regarding
euthanasia, suicide and abortion. This has raised a plethora of questions regarding
actions and consequent ethical choices. What impact this has had on the Durban
Hindu regarding the interpretation and re-interpretation of scripture to
accommodate euthanasia, suicide and abortion is examined in the background of
karma and dharma.
A cross-section of Durban Hindus consisting of lawyers, doctors, academics, schoolteachers,
Hindu scholars, priests and housewives were interviewed. Their views on
karma and dharma, to what extent these concepts underlie their thinking with
respect to euthanasia, suicide and abortion and what influence classical views based
on Hindu scripture as well as Western thinking have had on the contemporary
Hindus of the Durban area, are examined. Consequently, karma and dharma are
viewed from a hermeneutical perspective and examined in the light of the
phenomenological approach. The key hermeneutical concepts of karma and
dharma have been modified and re-interpreted to accommodate changing
circumstances. The views expressed range from the extremely liberal to the ultra
conservative. Although the subjects were not all familiar with Hindu scripture, the
views expressed were similar to scripture. Many Hindus therefore are reasoning on
traditional lines, although the basis of their reasoning has shifted from scripture.
Ethics and morality are not the only underlying principles affecting the euthanasia,
suicide and abortion debate: financial and social considerations are also important.
Although euthanasia and abortion are strongly condemned by the conservative
Hindu they are accepted on medical, social and utilitarian grounds.
Description
Citation
Ganga, Romilla Devi (1994) Hindu views on euthanasia, suicide and abortion in the Durban area, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/16826>