Much is made of the right to die as being part and parcel of the right to dignity. This is seen in the plea for the right to die with dignity. At first glance it seems only reasonable to combine the two. However, does it really mean that one can actually procure a death in order to avoid an impending indignity? What then is dignity? Hamlet articulated this in his soliloquy:“Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer. The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take up arms against a sea of troubles. And by opposing, end them? – To die, to sleep...’ Tis a consummation Devoutly to be wished.” In the final analysis, a great deal of introspection, debate and individual soul searching is needed to answer the questions we must ask ourselves:

Who am I?
What is the purpose of my life?
Is death the final end or a new beginning?

References for further reading

• De Souza EJ: Euthanasia. The conference theme. Bulletin of Indian Federation of Medical Guilds 1976,1:19–20.
• De Souza EJ: The idea of the right to die philosophy. In Seminar on Euthanasia. Bombay: FIAMC Bio–Medical Ethics Centre, 1986, p107.
• De Souza EJ: Ethical stances and slippery slopes. Bulletin of Indian Federation of Medical Guilds 1989,15:46–49.
• De Souza EJ: Suicide and the Supreme Court. Times of India 17 September 1994.
• Marx Paul: Death without dignity. 2nd.Ed., Minnesota: The Liturgical Press, 1978, p 68.
• Sassone RLS: Handbook on euthanasia. California: Life Quality paperback. Robert L.Sassone, 1975, p 144.
• Vas CJ: Definitions. In Seminar on Euthanasia. Bombay: FIAMC Bio–Medical Ethics Centre, 1986, p 107.
• Vas CJ: Euthanasia: the moral issue. In Seminar on Euthanasia. Bombay: FIAMC Bio–Medical Ethics Centre, 1986, p 107.
• Vas CJ: The right to die in peace. Bulletin of Indian Federation of Medical Guilds. 1983,8:35–40
• Vas CJ, de Souza E (Editors): Suicide. Report on a workshop. Bombay: FIAMC Bio–Medical Ethics Centre, 1987, p 116.