Euthanasia

Question 1

Natural Law on Euthanasia:
Sanctity
Catholic Church
D.E.
Playing

Answer 1

Sanctity of life
Catholic Church hold euthanasia as never permissible
Double effect may be considered morally permissible in some cases but this is not a popularised view
Killing would be “playing God”

Question 2

Strength of Natural Law:
Misuse

Answer 2

Doesn’t allow any misuse of euthanasia within the medical community

Question 3

Weakness of Natural Law:

Answer 3

Joseph Fletcher said if euthanasia is playing God, then all medical intervention is too, but Natural theologians are fine with that

Question 4

Situation Ethics on Euthanasia:
Personalism
Quote
Downs

Answer 4

Personalism - the demands of the people are put first
“Life is sometimes good, death is sometimes good… let law favour living, not mere life”
He used children with down syndrome as his example, as in his time the medical care was not enough to give them a good quality of life

Question 5

Slippery Slope argument: (Counter to situation ethics and all pro-euthanasia arguments)
Pressure - “burden”
Greed
Power

Answer 5

Having the option of euthanasia may put pressure on an individual to end their life, as they do not wish to be a “burden”
Could be exploited by greedy family members
Too much power is being given to doctors, euthanasia may be permitted for the sake of convenience when a patient could actually be saved with resources, time and effort

Question 6

Counter to Slippery Slope argument:
Switzerland

Answer 6

In countries where euthanasia is legalised (eg Switzerland) they have not experienced this phenomena
However, this excludes differences in culture and attitudes to healthcare across nations

Question 7

Applicable bible quotes:
Thou
Lay down

Answer 7

“Thou shalt not murder”
“No one has a greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends”