Main Flashcards
Sanctity of Life View: Divine Creation
The strong sanctity of life view claims that because God created human life, only God has the right to end it. Human life is especially valuable because humans were created in God’s image.
Compassionate Consideration
The weak sanctity of life view argues that while the sanctity of life is important, other principles such as Jesus’ emphasis on compassion should also be considered. Sometimes, compassion for quality of life might outweigh the sanctity of life.
Biblical Stance
The Bible clearly opposes killing, with no exceptions for the sake of compassion. Thus, it doesn’t follow that compassion can override the sanctity of life as per Biblical teachings.
Ethical Consideration
Quality of life refers to how happy or unhappy a life is. Proponents believe that life must be of a certain quality to be worth living, and thus euthanasia can be a valid ethical consideration.
Slippery Slope Argument
Archbishop Anthony Fisher argues that legalizing euthanasia leads to it being extended to more cases, including vulnerable individuals feeling pressured to choose euthanasia because they feel like a burden.
Demographic Data
Peter Singer notes that in Oregon, those who opt for euthanasia are disproportionately white, educated, and not particularly elderly, suggesting that euthanasia does not specifically target vulnerable groups.
Deontological View
Robert Nozick’s libertarian view states that people have an absolute right to do whatever they want, including choosing euthanasia, as long as they are not harming others.
Consequentialist Concerns
People may choose euthanasia for short-sighted reasons, such as temporary negative emotions. Peter Singer argues for a more nuanced approach, preventing euthanasia when recovery is likely.
Rationality Condition
To ensure autonomy is ethically managed, it should be paired with rationality. Euthanasia should not be permitted for irrational, short-sighted reasons.
Fletcher’s Approach
Fletcher argues that the Bible is not a strict rulebook but offers themes like agape (selfless love) as the most important guide. Euthanasia can be morally good if it maximizes agape.
Subjectivity of Love
Critics argue that love is subjective, and what one sees as loving might not be ethical. Historical examples like Nazi euthanasia programs show the dangers of subjective interpretations of love.
Agape’s Distinctiveness
Agape is not just any love; it involves selfless love for one’s neighbor. True agape would not involve pressuring someone into euthanasia, as one would not want to be pressured themselves.
Preservation of Life
Natural law ethics, influenced by Aquinas, claims euthanasia violates the primary precept to protect and preserve human life, leading to social disorder by undermining the sanctity of life.
Outdated Principles
Critics argue that natural law ethics and the sanctity of life principle are outdated, having been developed for socio-economic conditions of the past and are no longer relevant today.
Eternal Truths
Defenders argue that calling a theory outdated does not disprove its truth. Ethical principles from Aquinas might still be valid regardless of modern socio-economic changes.
