Euthanasia - Ethics

Question 1

What is the conservative sanctity of life view?

Answer 1

It is the belief that only God can end human life because He created it, and humans are made in God’s image.

Question 2

How is the conservative sanctity of life view supported in Christianity?

Answer 2

It is supported by Bible verses such as ‘thou shalt not murder’ and 1 Corinthians 6:19.

Question 3

What does 1 Corinthians 6:19 suggest about our bodies?

Answer 3

That our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and do not belong to ourselves.

Question 4

What does Genesis 9:6 imply about taking human life?

Answer 4

It implies that taking a human life is extremely serious because humans are made in God’s image.

Question 5

How do conservative Catholics justify sanctity of life?

Answer 5

They appeal to both the Bible and Natural Law, arguing life is sacred and only God can take it.

Question 6

What is the weak sanctity of life view?

Answer 6

It values sanctity of life but believes compassion and other biblical principles may sometimes override it.

Question 7

What critique does the weak sanctity of life view offer to the strong view?

Answer 7

It suggests the strong view leads to unnecessary suffering and lacks compassion.

Question 8

How does the Bible treat compassion in relation to sanctity of life?

Answer 8

While compassion is promoted, the Bible does not allow it to override prohibitions on killing.

Question 9

What is the quality of life principle?

Answer 9

It is the idea that life’s value depends on how happy or bearable it is.

Question 10

How does Peter Singer view the quality of life principle?

Answer 10

He supports it and argues euthanasia can be justified when quality of life is too low.

Question 11

What are Singer’s criteria for personhood?

Answer 11

Rationality and self-consciousness.

Question 12

How does Singer distinguish between humans and persons?

Answer 12

Humans are biological beings; persons have rationality and self-awareness.

Question 13

Why does Singer reject sanctity of life?

Answer 13

He believes it’s based on outdated Christian theology and should be reassessed.

Question 14

What is Singer’s argument for voluntary euthanasia?

Answer 14

That a competent adult should be allowed to die if they no longer value their life.

Question 15

What is Singer’s view on non-voluntary euthanasia?

Answer 15

It can be justified for beings with no awareness or preferences.

Question 16

What is the slippery slope argument?

Answer 16

It claims that legalising euthanasia leads to broader and potentially dangerous applications.

Question 17

What example does Fisher use for slippery slope?

Answer 17

The Netherlands expanded euthanasia to babies within a decade of legalising it for terminally ill.

Question 18

How could euthanasia laws affect vulnerable people?

Answer 18

They might feel pressured to die due to being a burden.

Question 19

What happened in Canada that raised ethical concerns about euthanasia?

Answer 19

Some people applied for euthanasia due to poverty and lack of medical support.

Question 20

How does Singer defend euthanasia against slippery slope?

Answer 20

He cites data from Oregon showing euthanasia is rare and carefully regulated.

Question 21

What is the core belief behind the conservative sanctity of life view?

Answer 21

The belief that life is sacred because it is created by God, and therefore only God has the authority to end it.

Question 22

Why is the idea that ‘humans are made in God’s image’ important in sanctity of life arguments?

Answer 22

It suggests that human life has inherent and unique value, making it morally wrong for humans to end it.

Question 23

What is the implication of the quote ‘you do not belong to yourself’ from 1 Corinthians 6:19?

Answer 23

It implies that humans are not autonomous over their lives; their lives belong to God.

Question 24

How does Genesis 9:6 support the sanctity of life principle?

Answer 24

It emphasizes that taking human life is especially wrong because humans are created in God’s image, deserving severe consequences.

Question 25

How does the weak sanctity of life principle differ from the strong view?

Answer 25

It accepts the sacredness of life but argues that other biblical values like compassion can sometimes override it.

Question 26

What ethical tension arises from balancing sanctity of life with compassion?

Answer 26

A strict application of sanctity of life may lead to prolonged suffering, contradicting Christian values of compassion and mercy.

Question 27

What does Singer say about the moral significance of personhood?

Answer 27

Only beings with rationality and self-awareness are persons, so not all human beings qualify for full moral protection.

Question 28

Why does Singer argue that euthanasia for infants with severe illness may be ethical?

Answer 28

Because they lack self-awareness, euthanasia does not deprive them of a future they are capable of valuing.

Question 29

What is the consequence of separating 'humans' from 'persons' in euthanasia ethics?

Answer 29

It allows for the possibility that some human beings, such as infants or coma patients, do not have full moral rights.

Question 30

How does Singer criticize the traditional sanctity of life principle?

Answer 30

He views it as a religious relic lacking rational justification in a secular society.

Question 31

Why does Singer say voluntary euthanasia is not morally wrong?

Answer 31

Because it respects the individual's choice and does not deprive them of a life they want to continue.

Question 32

How does the slippery slope argument apply to euthanasia?

Answer 32

It suggests that legalizing euthanasia in some cases will lead to its acceptance in less justifiable situations.

Question 33

What evidence does Fisher use to support the slippery slope concern?

Answer 33

He cites Holland, where euthanasia laws expanded from terminally ill adults to severely ill infants.

Question 34

What ethical issue arises when vulnerable people feel pressured into euthanasia?

Answer 34

Their choice may not be truly autonomous, undermining the ethical justification for euthanasia.

Question 35

How does Singer respond to the claim that euthanasia targets the vulnerable?

Answer 35

He points to data showing that euthanasia is typically chosen by educated individuals, not the socially marginalized.

Question 36

What is Nozick’s principle of self-ownership?

Answer 36

It’s the idea that individuals own their own bodies and lives, and therefore have the right to end them if they choose.

Question 37

What is a major risk of the absolutist view of autonomy in euthanasia?

Answer 37

It permits potentially irreversible decisions made during periods of temporary distress.

Question 38

Why does Singer argue that rationality must be paired with autonomy?

Answer 38

To prevent short-sighted or irrational decisions, especially during emotional crises.

Question 39

How does Mill’s philosophy support the case for euthanasia?

Answer 39

He believed in maximizing personal liberty, which includes the right to end one's own life if rationally decided.

Question 40

What is the significance of rational consent in euthanasia ethics?

Answer 40

It ensures that the decision is made thoughtfully and not under emotional or psychological duress.