Quality of Life Flashcards
who pointed out that instead of using a SoL ethic we should use a QoL ethic
peter singer
what does peter singer say belief in sanctity of human life is
speciesist
how does belief in sanctity of human life lead to more suffering and who pointed this out
peter singer, because someone is a member of the homo sapien species we cannot allow them to die or not be born even if their life has no QoL
what matters to utilitarians
pleasure and pain
what matters to preference utilitarians
what will further the interests of all those involved in the situation
what was benthams original argument for util
was to replace bible and tradition as a way of making laws and make it something more scientific
what is utilitarianism
egalitarian and relativist (consequentialist)
what factors are taken into account in the QoL calculus (ICTER)
- the immanence of death
- constancy of pain
- ability to think
- ability to enjoy life
- ability to make rational choices
what example would you use for the QoL calculus
baby charlotte- parents wanted her to live with severe heart damage and disabilities. but doctors said when her heart gave out they wouldn’t resuscitate.
why is utilitarianism a relativist system of ethics
what is right or wrong depends on the circumstances
what approach do followers of QoL use
do NOT use deontological principles, instead argue for a more relativist consequentialist approach
what are concerns with QoL
danger of playing god- interfering with what is natural/ interfering with someones purpose
are we treating a foetus or the terminally ill with dignity? (people against euthanasia would say dignity comes from you being a valued and special human being)
slippery slope- end up to holocaust- end up killing disabled if they aren’t any use, etc.
