livslødighet

Livslødighet is a Norwegian philosophical term that denotes the perceived worth or value of life and the degree to which life is considered worthy of continued existence. In ethical and philosophical discussions, the concept is used to reflect on the intrinsic worth of being alive, beyond assessments based solely on happiness, health, or functional ability. The term is often invoked in debates about life-sustaining treatment, end-of-life decisions, and the moral significance of vulnerability, disability, and suffering.

Etymologically, livslødighet comes from liv (life) and lødighet (worthiness or suitability). It is distinct from livskvalitet, which typically refers to quality of life in practical, evaluative terms such as well-being, functioning, and satisfaction. Livslødighet, by contrast, points to a normative stance on whether life itself has intrinsic worth independent of circumstances.

In practice, discussions of livslødighet intersect with debates in medical ethics, bioethics, and human rights. Proponents may argue that life has intrinsic worth that should be respected in most circumstances, while critics warn against rigid applications that could marginalize or devalue the lives of frail or suffering individuals. The concept is often compared with related notions like menneskeverdet (human dignity) and the broader discourse on verdighet of life, as well as with the more empirical notion of livskvalitet.

Overall, livslødighet remains a contested and context-dependent idea used to frame questions about the value of life, human dignity, and moral responsibility in care, policy, and law.