Final answer:
The standard definition of death in legal and medical matters is the whole brain view, which signifies the complete cessation of all brain functions. This definition impacts legal, ethical, and medical decisions, and is intertwined with cultural beliefs and emotional aspects of death.
Step-by-step explanation:
The definition of death that has become the standard in legal and medical matters is d. the whole brain view. This view encompasses the cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brain stem, as the criterion for death. The importance of this definition is highlighted in complex medical and ethical decisions, such as those involving end-of-life care, life support, and organ transplantation.
Issues revolving around brain death are complicated and often intersect with deeply held beliefs, like dualism, which separates the mind and the body and is rooted in many cultural traditions. Emotional reactions and the process of grieving, as theorized by Kübler-Ross, are also part of the broader discourse on death and dying, while cases such as Terri Schiavo and other brain death incidents provoke public debate and challenge existing laws and ethical codes.