Drafting an Appeal to Ethos- History of Human Autopsy
The lexicon of the word "ethos" refers to its Greek roots in: "the distinctive character, spirit, and attitudes of a people, culture, era, etc: the revolutionary ethos" (dictionary.reference.com).
Neighboring to the ancient Greeks, the ancient Egyptians practiced early forms of autopsy and mummification to appease a religious ethos. Further through history, human autopsy has appealed to several other societies' collective ethos. During the 1800s physicians widely practiced public autopsies to discover the form and function of human anatomy.Although controversial (means of obtaining enough bodies were often immoral if not illegal), such research has aided in a much more accurate understanding of the human body; in turn this has drastically improved medical practice.
Not only utilized for scientific purposes, autopsy can also provide peace of mind for loved ones.Knowing the cause of death can ease much anxiety. Death as in dying is a difficult subject, an emotionally confusing and messy process for all parties involved. With a clear mind, family members can decide what is appropriate to do with the remains of their loved one. If the deceased wishes to act altruistically, one such option is willed cadaver donation. Life-- or death-- as a cadaver does not necessarily have to be dull.
For example, the majority of donated cadavers in willed body programs end up at medical schools. Physicians and medical students may at first struggle with separating a cadaver from its once live identity. However, using cadaver labs for practice of surgical procedures provides a much better alternative than sending students to practice on live patients after observation as their only training. Medical students also learn to objectify the body as a means for practice, to cope with death. Many anatomy labs devote a portion of the class to confronting death and dying.
The process of losing a life and working with the dead (remains) are two separate entities. As humans, it is natural in our culture to feel a spirit of attachment to our loved ones. However, if we can separate our spiritual attachment from these bodies, it is clear that cadaver donation is a necessary means to broaden our understanding of life and even death itself.
Works Cited: "Ethos." Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2013. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ethos?s=t>.