Quality of Life
Religious Studies: KS3, topic 3.2.2
The Quality of Life
Quality of life is a concept that is very related to the sanctity of life. But, there are some important differences.
The quality of life
- It is one thing to be alive, but the quality of some people’s lives seems to be much better than others.
- Many people have tried to create a list of the things that human life should enjoy.
- Such as being happy, being free, having enough food to eat.
Different qualities of life
- The extent to which someone has these, and similar things, that contribute to the quality of life is the result of different circumstances.
- Some people are born into poverty and some into wealth.
- Some are born in countries where they are more likely to face starvation and disease.
Improving the quality of life
- Many people are committed to helping raise the quality of life of people around the world.
- Both religious people and those who do not believe in God.
- Often they will do this by joining one of the caring professions.
- Or by giving to charity, or by volunteering to work for those in need.
Ending suffering
- One important factor in the quality of life is the issue of illness and pain.
- Some people suffer from life-limiting conditions and sometimes live with constant pain.
- There can be a moral question about whether such people have a life worth living.
- Sometimes they may even ask for their lives to be ended early, to limit their suffering.
- Issues such as the holiness of life and the quality of life raise important questions for morality.
Test yourself on Quality of Life
What principle considers whether people are happy, free and have enough food?
What things do people often do to improve the quality of life of others?