Abstract

Death is a universal human experience, yet it continues to be mysterious and removed from everyday life. Our intimate connection with death has led gifted scholars, religions and ordinary individuals to continuously seek greater understanding of it. This thesis is an effort to do the same, within a Christian context. Two main questions are asked: Within the context of suffering, how do we find meaning in death? Is it possible to die well within the context of suffering?
The first portion of this thesis is an exploration of meaning, suffering, and dying well. Defining these terms is required to ensure that readers have a mutual understanding of them. Suffering is addressed by utilizing the work of Eleonore Stump, Pope John Paul II, and Seneca. Meaning is looked at through the writing of Eleonore Stump, Pope John Paul II, Todd May and Victor Frankl. Finally, a definition of dying well is surveyed in the work of Seneca, Dr. Christopher Kerr and Pope Francis. Each of the authors provide valuable insight.
The second portion of this thesis employs Bernard Lonergan’s levels of good to evaluate the ability of palliative care, MAID and suicide to reduce suffering, increase meaning and allow an individual to die well. Narratives are provided to increase the recognition that this process of evaluation is not merely theoretical, individual lives are impacted. The levels of good, include, particular good (individual), good of order (societal or community level) and terminal value (what is good, expanded horizons).