3.1.2 Application of ethical theories to human issues. Flashcards
What is abortion?
The removal of a foetus from the womb before it can survive. Abortion is seen as a controversial topic because people have differing views on when life begins.
What is the Natural Moral Law approach to abortion?
NML is a deontogical approach to ethics so abortion is either always morally right or always morally wrong.
Abortion breaks the ‘worship God’ precept by breaking the commandment of do not kill.
What is the doctrine of double effect and how does it apply to abortion?
Aquinas highlighted that you can have primary precepts that conflict in some cases. If a woman had an ectopic pregnancy, both the mother’s and the foetus’ lives would be at risk. In this case, the intention is important. If the intention is to save the mother’s life, an abortion can be justified because the unintended consequence would be the termination of the foetus.
List some some NML quotes in regards to abortion
“You shall not abort the fruit of the womb” the Didache
“Thou shalt not kill” Exodus
What is the Situation Ethics approach to abortion?
Abortion can be justified in regards to all four working principles, relative to the situation
List some evidence for situation ethics in regards to abortion
“Do whatever the situation demands” Joseph Fletcher
“Only the end justifies the means, nothing else” Joseph Fletcher
What is euthanasia?
The ending of somebody’s life, usually when they are terminally ill and suffering. Forms of euthanasia include voluntary euthanasia, involuntary euthanasia, assisted suicide and assisted dying.
What is meant by Sanctity of Life?
The idea that life is intrinsically sacred or has such worth that it is not considered within the power of a human being.
What is meant by Quality of Life?
A way of weighing the extrinsic experience of life, that affects or justifies whether or not it is worth continuing life.
Explain the concept of Personhood by Peter Singer and how it links to euthanasia
Singer would distinguish between humans and persons. Humans are homosapiens, but persons are self aware, can have ideas about their past and future and retain emotionality. A person who suffers brain trauma (e.g victim of the Liverpool 1989 accident Tony Bland) may be a human but not a person. Therefore biblical scriptures prohibiting euthanasia may not apply to these humans.
Apply ethical theories to euthanasia
NML followers believe euthanasia is either always morally correct or incorrect. The concept of euthanasia breaks the primary precepts of worship God, preserve God and retain order to society.
Situation ethics puts the people first, so if a terminally ill patient is in pain and the most loving thing to do is to painlessly end their suffering, it should be done
Give some quotes in regards to euthanasia
“The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away”
“Why should you die before your time?”
“Whoever takes a human life shall surely be put to death”
List some evidence in regards to embryo research; designer babies and cloning
“God created man in his own image” Genesis 1:27
“Man looks on the outward appearance but the Lord looks on the heart”
