Euthanasia Flashcards
What is Euthanasia?
•Euthanasia is a Greek word which means “good death”.
•This refers to the idea of a merciful and gentle death to end someone’s pain and suffering
What is assisted suicide?
This term is used when a person wants help to end their own life in a pain free way
What does the Catholics believe about euthanasia and assisted suicide?
•The Catholic Church teaches that ending a life before natural death morally unacceptable
•This comes from the teaching of the sanctity of life which outlines the belief that life is sacred and holy and is a gift from God so only he can decide when it ends. it also teaches that life should be respected and protected from conception to natural death
What proof is there to back up the Catholic view on euthanasia and assisted suicide?
•The head of the Catholic Church,The Pope, says “the right to life means allowing people to live and not killing” meaning people should have access to palliative care instead so patients have a good quality of life until natural death
•Euthanasia goes against the 10 commandments that state “thou shall not kill” - a clear directive against intentionally causing the death of another person (even at their own request)
•The commandment “do not kill” is in direct link with the Uk state teaching which state “do not kill” - protects people from problems this would arise should it be legalised such as euthanasia being used as a scapegoat for murder. Allows safeguard the sick so people cannot pressure them into euthanasia
•Genesis states that “God made mankind in his image”- life is a reflection of God’s image and must be treated with reverence and respect and therefore deliberately causing death is seen as a violation of the sacred nature of life that God has bestowed upon it
How does euthanasia impact a Catholic’s life?
Catholics would campaign for euthanasia to remain illegal in the uk and would instead want more funding to go into palliative care as it is focused on giving patients a good quality of life until death
What do humanists believe about euthanasia?
•Humanists focus on the quality of life, a belief that outlines the fact that life has to be worth living
•they would say decisions about euthanasia should be made on a case by case basis where the quality of life of the patient is weighed up
Why might humanists agree with euthanasia?
*a popular humanist slogan is “my life, my body, my choice”- humans should have autonomy over their own lives and if they feel as if they have a poor quality of life then some may argue euthanasia is acceptable as their life does not have enough positives to make it worth living
Why might the humanist argument be weak?
•There are numerous examples of people who have lived fruitful and valuable lives despite any difficult circumstances
•Stephen Hawkings although living with the illness MND may have seemed like he lacked quality of life on the surface but had a family who loved him and continued to work in scientific thesis’ until the end of his life
