Ch. 5 Euthanasia Flashcards
What is euthanasia
Literally means good death and refers to the act of killing a patient or letting a patient die when it is deemed that the life is no longer with prolonging
What is active euthanasia
The act of directly killing a patient
What is passive euthanasia
The act of letting a patient died
What is the position of the American Medical Association on the ethics of euthanasia?
Passive euthanasia is sometimes acceptable while active euthanasia is always wrong
Voluntary euthanasia
When the patient requests to die
Non-voluntary euthanasia
Incapable of deciding whether or not they want to die
Involuntary euthanasia
Euthanasia against the patients will
The argument from passive euthanasia
Active euthanasia is more humane than passive. If passive is sometimes acceptable, then active is sometimes acceptable too.
The argument from autonomy
If a patient makes a well informed decision to die and requests a lethal injection, giving him one would be permissible according to the principle of respect.
The argument from mercy
In some cases, Active euthanasia promotes the best interest interests for all involved and violates no ones rights. Therefore, active euthanasia is morally acceptable.
Argument from innocence
It is always wrong to kill an innocent human being.
Argument from divine domain
It is wring to commit suicide or active euthanasia because it would destroy something that rightfully belongs to god.
The argument from fallibility
Active euthanasia will lead to people dying needlessly.
Slippery slope argument
Active euthanasia is wrong because it will lead to other unacceptable practices, such as involuntary euthanasia.
The argument from unnecessary suffering
It is wrong to cause pain and suffering for trivial reasons. Therefore, eating meat is wrong.
The environmental argument
Meat production causes pollution, depletion of resources, deforestation, etc. people should take care of the environment. Therefore, abstain from eating meat
The argument for hunger
Meat production takes away food for others. Not eating meat would create more food
The argument from health
Consumption of animal products is linked with cancer, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, etc. Don’t eat meant.
Appeal to religion
God let’s us eat meat. Eating meat is okay.
Appeal to nature
It is natural to eat meat. Let’s eat meat.
Predation argument
Other animals kill prey. Why can’t we? EAT MEAT
