Euthanasia Flashcards
Spec definition of Voluntary euthanasia?
A person’s life is ended at their request or with their consent
Spec definition of Non-Voluntary euthanasia?
A person’s life is ended without their consent but with the consent of someone representing their interests & its use in the case of a patient in a PVS
Spec definition of Sanctity of Life (SoL)?
Human life is made in God’s image & is therefore sacred in value
Spec definition of Quality of Life (QoL)?
Human life has to posses certain attributes in order to have value
Which two ethical theories should be used for Euthanasia?
Natural Law & Situation Ethics
Founder of NL & founder of SE?
NL-Aquinas & SE-Joseph Fletcher
Euthanasia definition?
Refers to the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease
What is ordinary treatment?
-Directly available
-Pain is proportional to pleasure
-Reasonable success rate
-Can be as basic as food & water
-Can be basic medication
Extraordinary treatment?
-Invasive
-Typically experimental
-Being kept on a life support machine
What is the James Rachel thought experiment?
Describes an uncle who will inherit a fortune if his nephew dies
1.Scenario 1- uncle drowns his nephew and in the bath (active)
Scenario 2- uncle watches his nephew drown in the bath (passive)
-Traditional active/passive debate would suggest actively drowning-nephew is worse than just watching, yet clearly both are horrific. Some may argue-watching & doing nothing is worse.
Which type of treatment do the Catholic Church state is obligatory?
ONLY ordinary treatment is obligatory
Case studies important to Euthanasia?
Tony Bland- persistent vegetative state (PVS) after Hillsborough disaster, court ruled feeding tubes could be removed, set a legal precedent for passive euthanasia
Diane Pretty- advanced stage of motor neuron disease (MND), courts denied her requests for her husband to assist in her suicide, three days after the ruling she fell into a coma and died, husband spoke out against court rulings
Baby Charlotte- born prematurely with severe brain damage, against wishes of her parents, court issued a do not resuscitate order, law does not consider life to be sacred
Patricia and Frank Lund- Patricia suffered from severe IBS, allegedly requested her husband to assist in her suicide, after attempt failed he smothered her with a pillow, husband found guilty of murder, demonstrates euthanasia is not used in cases of mental health issues
