euthanasia Flashcards
non-treatment euthanasia
the decision medical professionals make to withhold medical treatment
(also called passive euthanasia)
active euthanasia
deliberate action to euthanise. illegal in the uk
non-voluntary euthanasia
- when a person is unable to express their wish to die but there are reasonable grounds for ending their life
palliative care
end of life care to make the person’s last moments more comfortable
involuntary euthanasia
where a person is killed against their wishes eg nazis killing disabled people
voluntary euthanasia
when a person’s life is ended from another party but it is their request
difference between active euthanasia and assisted dying
active = when you give consent
assisted dying = when you are terminally ill and dying anyway
1961 Suicide Act
decriminalised suicide but made clear that euthanasia is illegal. you cannot aid/abet/ counsel someone to suicide
case study - Diane Pretty
moto neurone disease, paralysed from the neck down
asked lawyers to present the case on the right of self-determination
case was not upheld and even went to ECHR
case study - baby Charlotte
born prematurely and severe brain damage.
court ordered doctors not to resucitate baby if she fell into a coma
= life is not absolutely sacred.
Slippery Slope argument
would begin as a legitimate reason to assist in a person’s death but may end up permitting non-lethal conditions
2004 Haldayne and McIntyre argued Slippery slope
in netherlands, there is evidence that some may die against their wishes. also it becomes hard for the law to place safeguards
Helga Kuhse
challenged the slippery slope argument
highlighted the lack of statistical evidence and is used by scaremongers
criticises bringing up nazi eugenics as this was genocide not euthanasia as we would know it
weak sanctity of life argument
christians do not consider that killing an innocent person out of love is morlaly equivalent to murder. murder implies and ulterior motive but euthanasia is done out of love and respect
although Paul calls Christians a “living sacrifice”, this does not mean enduring extraordinary pain or suffering (romans 12:1)
life is a gift (genesis 1:28), not a burden
criticism of weak sanctity of life argument
- euthanasia may not always be done out of love, can be greed or mistake.
Pope John Paul
In his Evangelium Vitae argues that by accepting euthanasia, contemporary society undermines the sanctity of life and develops a “culture of death”
Peter Singer
in
- abandons the religious sanctity of life in favour of the non-religious quality of life argument
- develops John Locke’s notion that value of life depends on a person’s ability to have desires and not on a mystical “enduring self” or soul
- gives the 5 new rational quality of life commandments
- uses the tony bland case to challenge act v omission
5 new rational quality of life commandments
1. recognise the value of human life varies
2. take responsibility for the consequences of actions
3. respect a person’s decision to live/die
4. bring children into the world only if they are wanted
885. do not discriminate on the basis of species (we think human life is more important yet euthanise pets)**
Peter singer being controversial
in 1983 Baby Doe case in USA
said that a pig/dog has superior capacities than a disabled infant
util 2 args
- total happiness judgement - if someone is happy they will live longer and have good quality of life. if someone doesnt have a good quality of life, happiness cannot be increased so therefore their life is not worth living
- higher qualities judgement - minimum standards which are necessary to live a happy life eg reason, memory, ability to form relationships. if they are unable to meet this, it isnt worth them living.
Mill
in On Liberty
liberal society avoid ‘tyrannising’ the minority, aims to maximise personal freedom.
genesis 1:27
“god created mankind in his own image”
= life made by god and is gift
exodus 20:13
thou shalt not murder
Deuteronomy 30:19-20
“now choose life so you and your children may live”
life should be protected and respected
john wyatt
the idea that humans are made in the image of god means:
- humans are dependent on god for their lives
Jeremiah 10:23 “a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps” - human life has a unique dignity due to imageo dei
- all humans are equal Proverbs 22:2 “rich and poor have this in common: the lord is the maker of all”
sanctity of life GOOD
+ upholds intrinsic value of life in culture when modern society seems to dehumanise poeple
+ ensures that basic rights are respected
+ slippery slope argument
sanctity of life BAD
- religious concept that is outdated in secular society 50% of people are atheists
- concept clashes with autonomy
- interpreting sanctity of life as saving life at all costs is self-defeating as it may lead to dying in horrible pain without dignity
- modern science can now tell whether treatment would be pointless. we dont have to treat all people
- life should be a gift not burden
case study
anthony bland
was crushed in football match when fans were exiting.
never regained consciousness but retained brains stem function
- family said tony should be able to die with dignity as he has already died on the day on the terraces of Hillsborough.
- but the HOL solicitor said that the withdrawal od artificial treatment = leading to death would be murder.
BUT they were allowed to lawfully withdraw treatment. = omission not an act
1st person in british history to be permitted to withdraw treatment.
rachels
offered a thought experiment to suggest that the distinction between actively killing and passively letting someone die may not be helpful
Smith will inherit a fortune if his nephew dies.
a) he drowns his nephew in the bath = murder ACT
b) he stands and watches his nephew drown in bath = not murder??? OMISSION
glover on acts and omissions
- take all possible steps to preserve life (surgery, medication, food etc)
- take all ordinary steps to preserve life (limiting surgery and medication
- not kill but provide no steps to preserve life (no surgery or medication but still food and water)
- act in a way which does not intend to kill but has death as a foreseeable effect (increasingly large doses of painkillers, remove food and water
- perform a deliberate act of killing
= questions if there is a moral difference between ordinary (food, and water) and extra-ordinary means (surgery)
hippocratic oath
you will not cause harm to patients
glover refuting arguemnts
rejects arguments
- voluntary euthanasia could lead to involuntary euthanasia eg in nazi germany
BUT this wasnt euthanasia but eugenics, it was evil
- allowing voluntary euthanasia would lead people to being discouraged from going to hospital for treatment
BUT we cant predict future behaviour and this seems a reach - allowing voluntary euthanasia would erode the quality of end of life palliative care
BUT unlikely that thoughts about ending your life would detract from comforting a person
