L′intention morale au cœur du questionnement éthique concernant les pratiques médicales en fin de vie

The object is to demonstrate that the fundamental principles governing the ethical distinction between different acts or omissions made by healthcarers accompanying end-of-life patients reside in the agent′s intention when executing such acts or omissions. Protecting the rectitude of the intention by explaining the issue with the right words, developing the theory of the authentic double-effect, and defining with precision what is meant by euthanasia, we can go beyond the daily utilitarianism refuting interiorization of morality. This clarification of semantics is a truly ethical approach and the most elementary form of the respect we must give end-of-life patients.