Who's Body, Who's Life, Who's Decision? A Wesleyan Reflection on Personal Autonomy, Interdependence and Euthanasia

The current debates in western cultures on assisted dying are usually framed as human rights issues centred on personal autonomy – the rights of an individual to make absolute decisions about their own lives. This absolutizes personal choice above all other considerations, making it the bedrock value of western culture. This paper reflects on a Christian (especially Wesleyan) evaluation of such a secular framework, and argues that the essence of personhood is located in interdependence, not autonomy. This interdependence is centred in our relationship with both God and neighbour, and leads to a brief consideration of how this might help to reframe the current debate on euthanasia.