Joseph Chandrakanthan
Clinical Ethicist, Joint Centre for Bioethics, University of Toronto
Associate Professor, Centre for the Study of Religion, University of Toronto
E/
joseph.chandrakanthan@utoronto.ca
When Two Cultures Collide at Bed-Side:
Religio-cultural Perspectives on Tamil Ethic of Care
Friday, May 12, 2006 | 14:30 - 16:30 EST
As a country of immigrants, Canada and
more specifically the city of Toronto has one of the world’s largest ethnic and
culturally diverse populations. State repressions, drought, famine, and
crippling forms of economic deprivations coupled with war and violence have
forced large numbers of people as immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers to
many western and North American capitals to look for safety, security, and
economic prosperity.
The principles and norms applied in clinical ethics consultations in North
America are largely drawn from the Judeo-Christian and western ethical practices
and religious values. From a juridical perspective these are centered on the
exercise of autonomy of the patient as an individual whose rights and duties are
also guaranteed by the State. While the universalism enshrined in these
principles are of global ethical importance, in their application and
illustration they manifest a particular western worldview of socio-political
evolution.
Based on case examples this presentation will analyze the challenges of
cross-cultural trans-cultural and meta-cultural care particularly in relation to
the process of decision-making in designing care plans especially in the context
of terminal illnesses, palliative sedation and withdrawing and withholding of
treatment and other complex-care decisions that impinge on one’s religious,
ethical and cultural predicaments. The importance of integrating pluri-religious
ethical insights in the larger context of care and of incorporating the cultural
modes of care in the delivery of care will be explored against the backdrop of
the dilemmas and issues faced by they many religious and cultural groups. The
meaning and significance of illness as a corporate or familial experience and
the process of ailing and especially of dying as a social ritual will be further
elucidated to deepen the importance of understanding the ethical implications of
cure and care in a multi-cultural, pluri-religious milieu. The limitations
implied in the process of interpretation/ explanation in the context of
Doctor-patient relationship will also be explored.
A serious and particularly terminal illness is also an emotionally charged
context for the patient as well as for the members of the family and friends of
the one who is facing the end of his/her life. Interpersonal bonds their depth
and degree, the suddenness of the illness, the age of the patient, the intensity
of relationships with their cultural ramifications should therefore be
approached with deep sensitivity and compassion from, the part of the
care-giver. This presentation will emphasize these issues of care.
Dr. Chandrakanthan has held major academic appointments including, Head of the Department of Christian and Islamic Civilizations, University of Jaffna (1980 -1986); Professor of Biblical Studies and Ethics, Concordia University (1996-1999). He has presented papers at a number of national and international conferences and published ten books and over 50 articles in issues related Christian Theology, Ethics, Human Rights and inter-religious spirituality.