[Translation from English to Japanese ] In responding to our temporality, we shall find it easier to define values, p...

Original text

In responding to our temporality, we shall find it easier to define values, priorities, and life goals. Because of advances in medical technology and an expanding aging population, the years ahead will behold increasing numbers of people wrestling with chronic and life-threatening illness and prolonged dying. Furthermore, such urgent social issues as abortion, AIDS, euthanasia, and capital punishment, and such behaviors as alcoholism, drug abuse, and certain acts of violence, may well have links to overt and latent meanings that death holds for us. After all, life-threatening behaviors involve confrontation, in one way or another, with the threat of possible injury or ultimate death to self and others.

Translation / Japanese

一次的なことについて答えるなら、価値、優先するもの、ゴールを定義するのは簡単だろう。医療技術が発達し老齢人口が増えているから、今後は慢性的病気や命を脅かす病気や長引く末期症状と闘う人は増えていくだろう。さらに中絶、エイズ、安楽死、死刑などの喫緊の社会的問題や、アルコール中毒、薬物中毒、暴力行為などの行動も、私たちをとりまく死の顕在的・潜在的両方の意味につながりを持つようになるだろう。結局のところ、命を脅かす行動には何らかの形で自分や他人がけがを負ったり最終的に死に至るおそれと直面するということだから。