Applied Euthanasia

Question 1

Act Utilitarianism = Euthanasia

Answer 1

P1: consequentialist, no sanctity of life 
P1: hedonic calculus
P2: Voluntary Euthanasia - YES
P3: Non-Voluntary - look at motives 
P4: wrong if killing for gain

Question 2

Rule Utilitarianism = Euthanasia

Answer 2

P1: consequentialist, no sanctity of life
P2: universalisation - NO as could be for hedonistic reasons but YES due to Switzerland, Belgium
P3: only voluntary euthanasia/ Pvs and agreement of doctors
P4: justify on happiness not pleasure - quality of life e.g. Tony Nicklinson
P5: cognitive disability - no rational intelligence - allows families to move on, organ transplants, less suffering

Question 3

Preference Utilitarianism = Euthanasia

Answer 3

P1: consequentialist, no sanctity of life
P2: preferences of all associated - YES if preference of individual
P3: can’t exploit for gain as their preference may be to stay alive
P4: 4 ethical principles - yes if doctors claim they’re severely cognitive disabled= not a person UNLESS family preferences largely are to keep them alive

Question 4

Christian Ethics = Euthanasia

Answer 4

P1: Catholic Church - sanctity of life - NO make most of God given life
P2: BUT should accept palliative care, switching off life support is not euthanasia, should expect ordinary measures but not extraordinary if they don’t want to
P3: situation ethics - agape - voluntary - YES if suffering from incurable disease
P4: non voluntary - many would still want to live at best of ability. May be out of force of for personal gain
P5: involuntary - only if circumstances are for the person’s best interest

Question 5

Kantian Ethics = Euthanasia

Answer 5

P1: deontological, absolutist, intrinsic, pure practical reason = value to human life
P2: 1st fci - non voluntary euthanasia NO - but yes for those in Pvs, voluntary difficult but could be e.g. Switzerland, NO suicide - self contradictory
P3: 2nd fci - not for selfish motives, look at their quality of life - YES voluntary X non voluntary unless reason diminished
P4: 3rd fci - doctor must act in accordance with good will and universalisation e.g. Doctors duty to keep patients alive
P5: W.D. Ross prima facie duties - nonmaleficence duty not to injure others, beneficence duty to improve conditions of others

Question 6

Natural Law = Euthanasia

Answer 6

P1: deontological, absolutist, objective, sanctity of life
P2: protection of innocent life - euthanasia contradicts & worship God - does against valuing god’s creation and dignity of life
P3: living in a peaceful society - slippery slope - clouds role of doctor and devalues human life, BUT would allow palliative care
P4: voluntary NO non voluntary No as encourages individuals to seek out selfish means to kill
P5: doctrine of double effect and patients can say no to extraordinary treatment but should say yes to ordinary treatment
P5: