term 3 explanation Flashcards
define euthanasia
Euthanasia is an act or calculated course of omission intended to shorten the patient’s life with a supposedly merciful motivation
outline the key features of voluntary assisted dying
Bioethical issue: problems arising from biological research and its applications in areas such as genetic engineering and care of the terminally ill.
Complex and controversial due to differing views
Illegal in most places but legal in Belgium, Netherlands and Oregon (USA)
Active
Patient must be capable of making a decision
Voluntary: consent given by the patient
Patient needs to be terminally ill, with no greater than 6 months left to live
Patient must be of 18 years or older
what are the different forms of euthanasia
active voluntary
- A consents to B actively bringing about their death
active involuntary
- B brings about A’s death without their consent
active non voluntary
- B brings about A’s death when A is not in a position to
communicate consent
passive voluntary
- A consents to B withdrawing life sustaining treatment
passive involuntary
- A withdraws life sustaining treatment without A’s consent
passive non voluntary
- B withdraws treatment from A when they’re not in a position to communicate consent
what is the catholic view on voluntary assisted dying
contrary to catholic understanding of dignity – intrinsic worth or every human being
Human dignity is found in nature as we’re created in the image and likeness of God
Dignity is not lost as a person approaches death
A dignified death acknowledges the reality of death
Call for compassion: genuine effort to invest yourself into someone else & to stand by them when they are suffering, together
VAD breaks the fifth commandment
Life is a gift from God – pain and suffering are part of God’s plan and he should be trusted
Evangelium Vitae – John Paul II “true ‘compassion’ leads to sharing another’s pain; it does not kill the person whose suffering we cannot bear.”
list reasons for the involvement of religion in society
Religion can provide spiritual experiences for all people, especially with matters of life, death, marriage and development into adulthood
“Religious belief systems articulate responses to questions relating to human nature, identity, and purpose…”
https://www.tasc.tas.gov.au/students/courses/humanities-and-social-sciences/rlp215115/
Religious institutions e.g. healthcare, education benefit both religious and non religious people
“…supporting over 170 schools Australia-wide, supporting some 10 000 staff and 70 000 students.” (Christian Schools Australia).
Religion preaches a message of tolerance and unity to help dictate people’s moral decisions
“Religious instruction and belief remain today the lifeblood of society’s moral ethos.” (The Church of Jesus Christ, 2012)
list reasons against the involvement of religion in society
Religion causes war
“Religion has often been the justification of, and motivation for, war.”
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-sociology/chapter/the-functionalist-perspective-on-religion/
Religion shouldn’t impose beliefs/teachings on particular hospitals or in any schooling system.
Religion in schools is the “indoctrination of impressionable young children…” (Topsfield, 2011)
Religion prohibits equality and humanist rights, preventing a progressive society
“by promoting arbitrary moral standards, religion has often led to the discrimination or scapegoating of large parts of the populations.” (Xygalatas, 2020)
what is the societal view of VAD
‘death with dignity’
Assumes dignity is lost as a person ages or becomes less able to look after their own needs
Act of compassion
Personal choice
Person’s right to euthanise
Worked well in other places e.g. Belgium, Netherlands, Oregon in US
Palliative does not work
