Euthanasia Flashcards
what is euthanasia?
killing someone or allowing them to die when they are already going to die
what is voluntary euthanasia?
when a persons life is ended at their request or consent.
when is voluntary E most common?
terminal illness
what is non-voluntary E?
when a persons life is ended without their consent but with the consent of someone representing their interests
when is Non-vol E most common?
persistent vegetative state
what is active euthanasia?
- when someone does something to actually kill the person
what is passive euthanasia?
when you allow someone to die by taking away something that is keeping them alive
what is the issue between active and passive E ?
is it the same to kill someone as it is to let them die?
give an example of when passive euthanasia has been legalised?
Tony Bland- injured in the Hillsborough 1989, in PVS as no hope of recovery, the court gave permission to turn of life support machine
give an example of when voluntary euthanasia is not permitted?
not permitted in Britain, Diane Pretty,
When was euthanasia legalised in the Netherlands?
1.1.2002
what is Sanctity of life?
that human life is made in the image of god and is therefore sacred in value
what does S.O.L say about euthanasia?
its always wrong (absolutist).
what would SOL suggest instead of euthanasia?
palliative care, hospice care
give two reasons why people think we should not kill (euthanasia)?
- human life is a basic good (good in itself opposed to a means to an end)
- human life is sacred as it was a gift from god only god can take it away
give three quotes used in the bible against euthanasia
- “in the image of god”
- “the LORD gave and the lord has taken away”
- “do not kill” (exodus)
give one bible quote to support euthanasia
“love your neighbour as you love yourself”
give 3 problems with using the sanctity of life approach when dealing with the issue of euthanasia ?
- absolutist and inflexible does not take situation into account.
- ignores QOL argument
- closely linked to religious beliefs.
what is Quality of life?
human life has to posses certain attributes in order to have value
what type of approach is euthanasia and what does it say?
relativist, considers the quality of persons life.
what does peter singer argue for ?
replacing SOL ethics with 5 quality of life commandments
Name 3 QOL commandments?
- recognize worth of human life varies
- respects a persons desire to live/die
- only bring children into the world if they are wanted
what does QOL argument suggest about dignity?
live with dignity and people to die with dignity
what is personhood?
refers to the things that make us truly human