Społeczne postrzeganie śmierci i umierania we współczesnej perspektywie tanatologicznej

Abstract

The complex issue of death is difficult subject of analysis, both in individual and social perspective. Death and dying are, however, frequent focus of scientific and medial discourse. common consciousness death is still an arousing embarrassment taboo, so focusing on Social perception of death is current and well founded. Till the beginnings of 20-th century two main forms of death perception had prevailed: perception based on sensation of sight and perception through the sensation of smell. During 20-th century death experienced the process of medicalisation. Illness, ageing and death were replaced by power, youth and success. Further important consequences of medicalisation process follow: ambiguity of death, development of particular hospital ideology and appearance of ‘limited conscience’, leading to keeping dying patients in the ignorance of coming death. Nowadays the concept of patients’ subjectivity and their right to proper death is popularised.