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On Being An Ink Blot: Disability Meets Euthanasia
Author(s) -
Porter Andrew P.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
dialog
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.114
H-Index - 5
eISSN - 1540-6385
pISSN - 0012-2033
DOI - 10.1111/j.0012-2033.2004.00225.x
Subject(s) - pity , solidarity , disabled people , psychology , sociology , social psychology , psychoanalysis , law , political science , psychiatry , cerebral palsy , politics
: People encountering the disabled often reveal in their reactions a distaste for disability that comes from pity rather than solidarity; when that pity is traced to its roots, such people are capable of urging the disabled toward a “merciful death,” rather than offering any solidarity. The result is acceptance of euthanasia for the disabled. At stake is the difference between grace and works: for a disabled person by his or her mere presence reveals one's dependence on grace. But if one can “help” the disabled one, then one gains a sense of control that comes with works.