Applying Natural Moral Law to medical ethics

Question 1

How does NML’s deontological rules apply to euthanasia?

Answer 1

Motive matters and so does the feature of the act itself. So euthanasia is wrong as the act itself is wrong.

Question 2

Apply the 5 precepts and secondary precepts to euthanasia?

Answer 2

One of the precepts is self preservation so active euthanasia is wrong as it doesn’t preserve the self, leading to the secondary precept of do not commit euthanasia.

Question 3

Apply real and apparent good to euthanasia?

Answer 3

Misuse of reason means that we might think that euthanasia is moral. However, right reason - real goods means we will reason that active euthanasia is immoral.

Question 4

What is the interior motive in active euthanasia?

Answer 4

Doctor actively kills - does something active in euthanasia - not a good intention as it is not in keeping with precepts - intention is to kill.

Question 5

What is the interior motive in passive euthanasia?

Answer 5

Has a good intention because the doctor does not intend to deliberately kill the patient - she/he dies from their illness.

Question 6

Apply the syneidesis rule to euthanasia?

Answer 6

To do good and avoid evil. Active euthanasia is wrong as it does not do good - because you are actively killing the patient.

Question 7

Give Bible quotes which show that euthanasia is wrong?

Answer 7

“made in God’s image”
“Do not Kill”
“The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit”
“If we live, we live to the Lord and if we die, we die to the Lord”
All show how life is holy so euthanasia is wrong

Question 8

Explain how Common human nature and telos mean that euthanasia is wrong?

Answer 8

The body should live until its natural end so euthanasia is wrong. The purpose of the body is self preservation so active euthanasia is wrong.

Question 9

Apply the Doctrine of Double effect to euthanasia?

Answer 9

Means that there is a good motive but an unintended side effect. A doctor might give a patient drugs to relieve their suffering but the unintended side effect is that the patient dies from the drugs. Active euthanasia is wrong. Passive is not wrong because the doctors lets the patient die from their illness and so has a good motive - not actively killing

Question 10

Apply the idea of sanctity of life to euthanasia?

Answer 10

Life is holy and precious and so taking human life is wrong so active euthanasia is wrong as it takes away human life.

Question 11

Apply Divine law to euthanasia.

Answer 11

Divine law is the Bible, which states that life is sacred so active euthanasia is wrong.

Question 12

Apply Natural law to euthanasia.

Answer 12

Is the 5 precepts and secondary precepts, which teach that active euthanasia is wrong.

Question 13

Apply Human law to euthanasia.

Answer 13

The law of the land - Aquinas would think the law should state that active euthanasia is illegal but not passive.

Question 14

How can the precept of an ordered society be applied to euthanasia?

Answer 14

Because euthanasia can lead to a slippery slope and a society that fails to protect the weak and vulnerable (Peter Vardy - “slippery slope”, Yale Kamisar - the parade of Horrors)

Question 15

What do the Catholic Church say about the NML approach to euthanasia?

Answer 15

They accept all of it and base all their teachings on it.

Question 16

What are the strengths of basing an approach on common human nature?

Answer 16

It is our god given human nature, which is that we live until our natural end so euthanasia is wrong as it prevents this as it is intentional killing.

Question 17

What is the strengths of NML being universal?

Answer 17

Means it is not culturally or individually based. Everyone is treated in the same way. Euthanasia is immoral is a rule for everyone universally.

Question 18

Do the ends justify the means?

Answer 18

The consequences are unimportant compared to the intention of an act. The ends can never justify the means . You cannot justify euthanasia because it lessens suffering. The intention is to kill and this is always wrong. If a doctor gives a patient drugs to lessen their suffering then the intention can only be to lessen suffering and not to kill the patient.

Question 19

How is NML compassionate?

Answer 19

The doctrine of double effect means the intention is important too and also that suffering can be alleviated.

Question 20

What does applying the secondary precepts mean?

Answer 20

The virtues are developed.

Question 21

How does Russell criticise NML?

Answer 21

Universe is brute fact - no God and therefore, no God given human nature or purpose.

Question 22

How does Hans Kung and Kai Nielson criticise NML?

Answer 22

There is no God given human nature

Question 23

How does G.E Moore criticise NML?

Answer 23

Naturalistic fallacy - you cannot derive an ought from an is.. You cannot state this IS our common human nature and then state therefore we OUGHT to not commit euthanasia etc.

Question 24

How would Fletcher, Mackie and Protagoras criticise NML?

Answer 24

Morality is relative and not absolute, it has to be a relative concept between different cultures e.g. assisted suicide is immoral in Great Britain but moral in Switzerland.

Question 25

How do Fletcher and Bentham criticise NML?

Answer 25

It is inflexible as it fails to account for the consequences of an action. The ends can sometimes justify the means - if the consequences of euthanasia produce net happiness or most agape then it justifies the action.

Question 26

How does Singer criticise NML?

Answer 26

Says that belief that life is sacred is “medieval”