application of ethical theories to abortion, voluntary euthanasia + cap. punishment Flashcards
What were the views about abortion in NML? W quote
Abortion totally contravenes NML
Pope John II referred to it is a ‘grave moral disorder’
What P.P does abortion break in NML?
- Worship of God
- Preservation of innocent life
- Ordered society
When does the Catholic Church permit abortion?
Only if the 4 criteria of the principle of double effect are fulfilled
What is the sanctity of life in NML?
All life is sacred bc God creates all life
What is an example of an area in which the Catholic Church would permit abortion w the PODE?
Removal of a woman’s cancerous uterus w the unintended consequence being death of the foetus
What does Fletcher say about abortion?
Interests of an actual person should take priority over those os a potential person
What case does Fletcher refer to for abortion?
1962 - unmarried girl, ill w schizophrenic psychosis was raped by another patient in a mental hospital
The girls father demanded an abortion; hospital refused bc the criminal law prohibited all abortion except when mother’s life was at stake
What did Aristotle believe about abortion?
It should take place before signs of an individual human
Similar to the 14 day rule
What does Rosalind Hursthouse say about the status of the foetus?
We don’t know enough about the biological facts to be sure of the status of a foetus
What does Rosalind Hursthouse say about the reason for abortion?
Reason shouldn’t be smth trivial like body image or morning sickness
but smth weighty
What did Aquinas believe about suicide?
Death is more painful than disability
So suicide is contrary to the natural inclination of any form to stay alive
What P.P does assisted suicide (A.S) and voluntary euthanasia (V.E) breach?
Breaches P.P of preserve innocent life, worship God + live in an ordered society
What does the Catholic Church say about what is proportionate with AS + VE?
Morally permissible to refuse treatment where medication/tech just prolongs dying + doesn’t improve anything
What does the Catholic Church believe about refusing treatment that just prolongs dying?
It’s not viewed as euthanasia but as allowing nature to take its course
What example do we use when discussing VE and AS for Situation Ethics?
E.g. of a man with a terminal disease + 8 months to live where his condition deteriorates + he’ll be in pain for several months
What would Situation ethics say about the example of the terminally ill man?
He has a right to live + a right to die
What would situation ethics CONSIDER with the example of the terminally ill man?
- Is his choice made on his own wo fam pressure?
- Is he suffering from depression that may change?
- How correct is his diagnosis
- Has his chair to die been approved by more than 1 medical component
What might Aristotle say about VE + AS?
May be a courageous option in a. state where one is unable to achieve eudaimonia
What might Aristotle say is also courageous in VE + AS?
He may say its also courageous to endure the pain rather than VE or AS
What example can we used for virtue ethics when talking about VE + AS?
Anne has 2 strokes + now has dementia; after 1st stroke tells husband George she doesn’t want to live
George, out of love tells her a story then kills her by smothering he w a pillow
Would would Aristotle say about the e.g. of george + anne?
Justice would be placed about love in terms of virtue
Courageous thing would’ve been for G to endure suffering w A
What is suggested about the story w George + anne?
Virtues of compassion + mercy suggest its not murder but justifiable
What does the decision of VE + AS in virtue ethics depend on?
Practical wisdom
What’s the Hippocratic oath?
Doctors sign upon healing Gods in Ancient Greece that they would never intentionally end a patients life
What did Aquinas believe about capital punishment?
It’s legit but not responsibility of individuals bc that would be revenge + can get out of hand
Has to be done by members of the state
What P.P does capital punishment support? And what cardinal virtue?
Living in an ordered society
Justice
What have Pope Francis + John Paul said about Capital punishment?
Opposed to it
What example is used for capital punishment?
Angel Diaz; murdered an Israeli immigrant; strangled him w a shoe lace, stabbed him
A.D. + his 4 friends rob, beat + gang raped the victims wife + 16 yr old daughter
What does situation ethics think about capital punishment?
No set view
Takes into acc concerns of those involved
Whatever affirms love
What were Athenian societies views on capital punishment?
Capital punishment wasn’t used used in Athenian society
Aristotle didn’t discuss it
What is justice about according to Aristotle?
Balancing/rectifying/restoring
What can Aristotles view of justice tell us about what he may say about capital punishment?
Where one person murderer another, the balance has to be rectified even thought the victim is death - done by the state killing the murderer
