Ethics -Euthanasia Flashcards
Euthanasia
the practice of ending the life of a patient to limit the patient’s suffering
Active Euthanasia
A treatment is given that directly causes the death of the individual
Non-Voluntary euthanasia
A severely ill person’s life is ended WITHOUT their CONSENT-due to a vegetative state
Passive Euthanasia
A treatment is WITHHELD and this INDIRECTLY causes DEATH OF PATIENT
Voluntary Euthanasia
A Person’s life is ended at THEIR REQUEST or with THEIR CONSENT-usually occurring in the presence of TERMINAL ILLNESS
The Sanctity of life
Christian idea stemming from the belief of IMAGO DEI (humans made in the IMAGE OF GOD)
Therefore LIFE is INTRINSICALLY SACRED or VALUABLE
The Quality of Life
The Idea that LIFE’S VALUE DEPENDS on CERTAIN ATTRIBUTES - such as HAPPINESS
Determine WHETHER OR NOT its worth Living
The Quality of Life -Differing Views
Some BELIVE that this based on The PERSONS possession of Life Goods- Happuness and FREE FROM PAIN
The Quality of Life -Differing Views Singer
Singer argues that it is Based on the Possession of Autonomy- 5 Commandments
Recognise the Worth of HUMAN LIFE VARIES
Take Responsibility for the CONSEQUENCES of you DESCIONS (to SAVE or END Life)
RESPECT a person’s DESIRE to LIVE/DIE
BRING children into the world only if they are WANTED
Do NOT discriminate on the basis of species
Main differences of SANCTITY of Life and QUALITY of Life
SL-Religious View
QL -Secular view
SL-SUPPORTED by NATURAL LAW
QL -SUPPORTED by SITUATION ETHICS and UTILITARIANISM
SL-ABSOLUTE
QL- Conditional
Principle of autonomy
‘Self Ruling’ belief that we are free and able to make own decisions.
Th idea that humans are FREE to make DECISIONS on THEIR FUTURE
Derives John Stuart Mills -Non-harm principle
Only We have the right to PERMIT HARM ON OUR SELF no one else
Principle of autonomy- Euthanasia
Supporters of EUTHANASIA AGREE with AUTONOMY-agreeing that YOU have the ability to DETERMINE your OWN DEATH
Issues With Autonomy-Voluntary Euthanasia-John Glover
The action of Voluntary Euthanasia should NOT be done in a DIMINISHED MENTAL STATE
Otherwise they are not really AUTONOMOUS
“It must be properly thought out not merely a result of TEMPORARY EMOTIONAL STATE”
Issues With Autonomy-Involuntary Euthanasia
If a patient Has NOT GIVEN Any EXPLICIT INSTRUCTIONS then that would potentially DISREGARD SANCTITY OF LIFE as there is no AUTONOMY to Respect
Natural Law applied to Euthanasia Summaryy
NL OPPOSES Euthanasia does not like it
Natural Law applied to Euthanasia Key Reasons
They argue for PRESERVATION OF LIFE -stemming from IMAGO DEI
Following PRIMARY PRECEPT Worship Go -it would be DIFFICULT to BELIVE in God if you are SHORTENING someone’s Life
Undermine all Primary Precepts -ORDERED SOCIETY REPRODUCTION
Euthanising for NL is a form of APPARENT GOOD, rather than Real Good
ASSESSING Natural Law applied to Euthanasia why it is good
Holds INTRINSIC VALUE OF LIFE
Principle of Double effect PROVIDES FLEXIBILITY to relieve pain when there is NO PROSPECT of SAVING life
Prevent HUMANS from ABUSING POWER over others PUTTING THEMSELVES IN PLACE OF GOD
ASSESSING Natural Law applied to Euthanasia why it is BAD
Religious FOUNDATIONS therefore not UNIVERSAL-can be OUTDATED
Shows no COMPASSION to PAIN and COMPASSION, Contradicts GOD’S OMNIBENVOLENT
HEAVY FOCUS on Sanctity of Life disregards QUALITY OF LIFE and UNDERMINES Individuals AUTONOMY
Situation Ethics applied to Euthanasia Key Concepts -Personalism
Personalism is key principle of SE focuses on people and their WELFARE
Situation Ethics applied to Euthanasia Key Concepts -
Regards the QUALITY OF LIFE more than SANCTITY OF LIFE
CONSIDERS ALWAYS what is the MOST LOVING thing to do-AGAPAE LOVE (unconditional love)
For Fletcher Rules such as ‘DO NOT KILL’ can be BROKEN as long as LOVE DEMANDS IT
Theory is heavily RELATIVIST
IT ACCEPTS EUTHANASIA so long as it is the most LOVING thing to do and the persons’ Quality of life is assessed
Assessing Situation Ethics applied to Euthanasia why it is good -
It is very FLEXIBLE to INDIVIDUAL SITUATIONS which is Euthanasia is generally
It recognises every euthanasia are different situations
Concept of Agape Love ensure the best POSSIBLE OUTCOME For Person involved
Assessing Situation Ethics applied to Euthanasia why it is Bad
Doing the most loving thing is SUBJECTIVE and VAGUE it is based on a matter of OPINION
SE requires a PREDICTION OF THE FUTURE the most LOVING OUTCOME can not necessarily be CERTAIN
Assessing Sanctity of Life-For it
Not UPHOLDING Value of Life may lead to Poorer treatments of PATIENTS
NL upholds the INTRINSIC VALUE OF LIFE
The idea that LIFE is special in all FORMS is not a BAD IDEA
Assessing Sanctity of Life- Against it
Assumes a RELIGIOUS WORLDVIEW which many PEOPLE do not SHARE
Technology and Medical Knowledge allows to Know WHICH LIVES can and CANNOT BE SAVED - there is no need to VALUE life at all COST
SE rejects LEGALISTIC INTERPRETATIONS OF the SANCTITY OF LIFE- focuses more on QUALITY of LIFE
Suffering of PATIENTS can INCREASE if we are constantly looking ways to PRESERVE LIFE
SINGER argues SANCTITY OF LIFE goes AGAINST AUTONOMY and CONTROL AND that it is too outdated and NEEDS to be REPLACED
Slippery Slope Argument Sanctity of Life
Opponents of EUTHANASIA claim that Euthanasia will cause those who are VULNERABLE may become pressured to euthanise they feel they BURDENED SOCIETY with VALUE OF LIFE being UNDERMINED
Slippery Slope Argument Sanctity of Life Singer Response
Singer hard example in Netherlands, where Euthansua is legal
And out of the 48,000 only two cases where against patients will
Peter singer Persohood
Utilitarian Peter Singer claimed how the word person and human are different
For him those that ar in a vegetative state or babies have no consciousness if their life so can not continue to live
As well those that are adults in voluntary euthanasia are are conscious and therefore it is acceptable
