DEFINICJA ŚMIERCI MÓZGOWEJ W KONTEKŚCIE WIARY I NAUCZANIA KOŚCIOŁA KATOLICKIEGO
THE BRAIN DEATH IN THE CONTEXT OF FAITH AND TEACHING OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Summary/Abstract: Introduction: The criterion of brain death as a criterion of the final end of human person is purely philosophical concept. However, because it functions in the area of empirical sciences (medicine) it seems to be “purely scientific”, unformed ideologically and irrefutable concept. Precisely in that way it seems to be treated in some church’s documents. But, is anthropology assumed by the supporters of brain death possible to accord with faith and Church teaching about human being? Core (of the work): To answer this question we need to understand first the definition of brain death and then to analyse purely theological sources – mostly the teaching of Roman Magisterium. In the context of posed question we must examine threads concerning on spiritual-bodily unity of human person, the dignity of human body, dependence of human being and resurrection of the body. On the base of teaching of the catholic Church we can’t clearly define moment of the death of human person. In such situation we should apply principle known in the moral theology which says that we shouldn’t act if we have doubts. In this context it means that if we have doubt about somebody’s death we shouldn’t treat this person as dead but as living, therefore it seems to be unacceptable to transplant organs from that person.

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