Philosophical dialogue in palliative care and hospice work

Abstract

Dealing with existential questions is a constitutive part of palliative care. Interestingly, if we admit that border situations at the end of life give rise to clearly ‘philosophical’ questions, in the contexts of practice, these questions are perceived (nearly) without any reference to explicit philosophical traditions or to ‘philosophical practice’. Existential questions in palliative care are usually approached from other perspectives and within other organisational forms of reflection and dialogue (psychotherapy, supervision, spiritual care, moral case deliberation). This piece considers how philosophical dialogue and reflection could contribute to palliative care and hospice work.