Euthanasia Flashcards
What is Voluntary Euthanasia?
having the person’s permission
What is Non-Voluntary Euthanasia?
the person isn’t in a position to give permission (eg. in a coma)
What is Active Euthanasia?
The patient is actively killed (like with an injection)
What is Passive Euthanasia?
When the treatment which would have kept the patient alive is with held
Why might someone support Euthanasia?
Autonomy, right to self determination
What is Quality of Life?
How enjoyable your life is
What is Sanctity of Life?
God’s purpose for you
Give 5 problems with Euthanasia..
- undermine our confidence in doctors
- start of a slippery slope (if one person does it, many will want to join)
- doctors trained to save lives
- unnecessary pressure on those who feel they are a ‘burden’
- drug companies stop spending money on palliative care
Why might some people support passive Euthanasia?
- can be seen as a natural cause
What must be considered when reviewing one’s quality of life?
- Immanence of death
- constancy to pain
- ability to think
- ability to enjoy life
- ability to make rational choices
(PLTLC)
What would Christians think about Euthanasia?
“choose life” “do not kill” God knows what it’s like to suffer, must endure pain to gain understanding of God
Jesus was a healer. Why may this be for and against Euthanasia?
He could relieve suffering by killing (agape) OR he tries to save the life
What is Dignitas?
Clinic in Switzerland that allows Euthanasia
Give 5 Buddhist arguments against Euthanasia…
- “abstain from taking life”
- In Mahayana, need patience to become a bodhisattva
- Everyone suffers
- Impatience leads to no enlightenment
- 3 poisons
Give 2 Buddhist arguments for Euthanasia..
- Allowing them to die is Karuna
- Tibetans say it’s important to be calm at moment of death for better re- birth
