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Отношение россиян к эвтаназии: особенности, динамика и факторы
Taking into account the relevance of the problem of euthanasia in the context of the
increase in severe cancer and genetic diseases, the article shows, based on the data of the Monitoring of the IS FCTAS RAS 2024 (N = 2000) and the World Values Survey (2006 and
2017–2022), that in their attitude towards euthanasia, Russians are divided into two almost
equal groups. Each of them has its own core and periphery, the members of which occupy
an oscillating or intermediate position between the cores of these groups. Such an ambiguous
situation is not something unique – in the global context, Russia occupies an intermediate
position between the countries of the “collective West” and the “world majority” in terms
of its population’s attitude towards euthanasia, gradually converging with the latter. At the
same time, the perception of euthanasia by Russians is not an isolated component of their
worldview but is closely related to its other “blocks”. Even belonging to certain age or religious
groups is important not in itself, but primarily through its influence on the formation of certain
worldview systems. The key factor in terms of the comparative significance of worldview
factors influencing the perception of euthanasia is the attitude to life as a value. This attitude
is also associated with attitudes towards compliance with the requirements of the law and
moral norms – like the denial of the value of life, moral and legal relativism increases tolerance
towards euthanasia. Another important factor influencing the attitude of Russians towards
it is the degree of a person’s integration into society, which is manifested through the nature
of his identities and the level of interpersonal and institutional trust characteristic of him. The
higher it is, the lower the tolerance towards euthanasia. Of the objective factors most closely
associated with attitudes toward euthanasia, the most significant are the presence of serious
health problems in the person himself or members of his household, as well as a violation of the
work-rest balance that contributes to his “burnout,” significantly increasing tolerance to it.