Some reflections on the debate on PAS and euthanasia, and on the pedagogical implications it ought to have on the teaching of ethics and religion

Abstract

This article is a meta-article; not taking a side in a debate – the debate concerning the law on euthanasia or actually Physician Assisted Suicide PAS, (which is what the law fundamentally legalizes), kick-started by the government in May 2025i – but reflecting on the debate itself. It claims that in various respects the debate was undertheorised. In this regard, it points out how two concepts, which figured highly in the debate, autonomy and dignity, were generally used by participants to the debate. It also notes two prominent lines of argument that evidence undertheorising. The second part of the paper takes into account some educational implications of the debate. In light of the reflections presented in the first part, it considers what interested groups in subjects like Ethics and Religious Studies should learn from the public discussion.