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R.S. Ethics > Topic 5 - Euthanasia > Flashcards

Topic 5 - Euthanasia Flashcards

1
Q

what is suicide and assisted suicide?

A

SUICIDE = when a person dies as a direct result of their own voluntary action

ASSISTED SUICIDE = when a person dies as a direct result of their own voluntary action but with the help of another person (different to voluntary euthanasia)

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2
Q

what is physician aided suicide and dying?

A

PHYSICIAN AIDED SUICIDE = when a person dies as a direct result of their own voluntary action but with the help of a doctor or physician

PHYSICIAN AID IN DYING = when a person’s death is hastened but not directly caused by aid

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3
Q

what is voluntary and non-voluntary euthanasia?

A

VOLUNTARY = when a person’s death is directly caused by another person (such as a doctor) at their request

NON-VOLUNTARY = when a person’s life is ended without their consent but with the consent of someone who is charged with their interests

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4
Q

what is passive euthanasia?

A

when a doctor/carer withdraws life maintaining/saving treatment.

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5
Q

what is the 1961 suicide act?

A

until 1961 suicide was a criminal offence. Although, the 1961 act meant it was no longer an offence. However, it did not make it morally licit.

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6
Q

example of case for the right of self-determination?

A

diane pretty 2002, paralysed from the neck down with motor neurone disease and had asked her doctors to assist in her suicide.

the law rejected her case as they said she was not suffering from an immediately life threatening disease.

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7
Q

what is the slippery slope argument?

A

argument against self determination saying if the rule is weakened then what eventually follows is bad

e.g. netherlands there is evidence many die against their wishes.

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8
Q

what is the sanctity of life argument?

A

humans are created in god’s image and posses a ‘spark of divinity’ (genesis 1:27) which sets them apart from other animals and so killing them is bad

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9
Q

what is the quality of life argument?

A

idea that human life has to possess certain attributes in order to have value.

e.g. peter singer - if we compare a severely defected human infant and a pig, it’s likely the pig that’s more useful.

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10
Q

happiness as the basis of quality of life?

A

utilitarianism

e.g. mill liberty principle

suicide is autonomy so the only reason for stopping would be if it caused harm to others.

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11
Q

what is jonathon glover’s argument on euthanasia?

A

being alive is not sufficient, need to be conscious.

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12
Q

natural law view on euthanasia?

A

wrong based on duty to god and the duty to protect innocent life

only the doctrine of double effect would allow a patient to die in very rare circumstances as a side-effect of pain relieving treatment but the intention must never be to cause death

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13
Q

situation ethics view on euthanasia?

A

PERSONALISM - respect for person and their integrity allows it

RELATIVISM - killing innocent people cannot be an absolute wrong, as each case has to be judged according to love and compassion. Weak sanctity of life principle means life is given to us to use wisely, this may mean sacrificing one to save another from pain

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14
Q

ESSAY PLAN - NATURAL LAW/SITUATION ETHICS

“How effective is Natural Law/ Situation Ethics when applied to Euthanasia? “

POINT 1

sanctity of life vs quality of life (primary precepts)

A

• Vitalist principle – life is a gift from God, thus intrinsically valuable, “in the image of God he created them” (Genesis 1). Only God can choose when to end a life, “the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away” (Job 1) – ensures life is preserved and protected at all costs (PRIMARY PRECEPTS), in line with the Hippocratic Oath – save lives and abstain from harm.

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15
Q

ESSAY PLAN - NATURAL LAW/SITUATION ETHICS

“How effective is Natural Law/ Situation Ethics when applied to Euthanasia? “

POINT 1 - counter argument

quality of life (dworkin + singer)

A
  • Ronald Dworkin, in ‘Life Dominion’, points out that life is a gift, not a burden; sanctity encompasses preservation but also a high quality – Dianne Petty 2002 Motor Neurone disease, denied the right to die thus lived a low quality of life forcing people to stay alive disrespects not only their autonomy, but the sanctity of their life, as its quality diminishes
  • Peter Singer offers an instrumentalist view of the body, arguing it is useful insofar as it allows for preferences and desires to be fulfilled – no intrinsic worth and to think so leads to immoral and inhumane decision making
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16
Q

ESSAY PLAN - NATURAL LAW/SITUATION ETHICS

“How effective is Natural Law/ Situation Ethics when applied to Euthanasia? “

POINT 1 - counter response

slippery slope, stable society (pope paul)

A

• Many argue it is impossible to judge when life becomes worthless; people may be coerced into thinking their life is of a diminished quality. Pope Paul in Evangelium Vitae argued legalising euthanasia results in devaluing human life and a culture of death – Nazi eugenics programme.

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17
Q

ESSAY PLAN - NATURAL LAW/SITUATION ETHICS

“How effective is Natural Law/ Situation Ethics when applied to Euthanasia? “

POINT 1 - conclusive response

best interests (kushe)

A
  • Helga Kushe, a utilitarian philosopher, has argued that in the Netherlands the slippery slope does not occur as euthanasia is regulated by legal practise – the example of Nazi eugenics would not occur in democratic societies and is an extreme case.
  • By following the values commonly applied to medical ethics, Benefice (acting in the best interests of the patient) and non-maleficence (first, do no harm), one can see that Diane Petty should have been allowed the right to die – religious deontological morality jeopordises the interests of patients in favour of moral absolutes; leads to puritanism.
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18
Q

ESSAY PLAN - NATURAL LAW/SITUATION ETHICS

“How effective is Natural Law/ Situation Ethics when applied to Euthanasia? “

POINT 2

deontological vs consequentialist (glover)

A
  • Better to act in a deontological way as not all patients can express their interests or of a sound mind due to an illness – Tony bland PVS, impossible to act according to his best interests
  • Jonathan Glover, in ‘Causing Death and Saving Lives’ has argued that if they are making the decision in a diminished mental state then they are not truly autonomous the decision must be “properly thought out, not merely the result of a temporary emotional state. Patients may not be able to decipher their best interests as the illness may bring about confusion or depression, which could be temporary when the impact of euthanasia is permanent.
  • By providing them with palliative care we avoid involuntary euthanasia, which may or may not go against the will of the patient.
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19
Q

ESSAY PLAN - NATURAL LAW/SITUATION ETHICS

“How effective is Natural Law/ Situation Ethics when applied to Euthanasia? “

POINT 2 - counter argument

situationism, agape love

A

• Clearly there are many cases of euthanasia, thus highlighting we cannot act in accordance to absolute rules – must act situationally, following the principle of agape: charitable, unconditional love. “Justice is love distributed” – tough love.

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20
Q

ESSAY PLAN - NATURAL LAW/SITUATION ETHICS

“How effective is Natural Law/ Situation Ethics when applied to Euthanasia? “

POINT 2 - counter response

double effect (hughes)

A
  • Actions can have complex and unforeseen consequences, and therefore must be judged on intended effects. If a doctor attempts to treat a terminally ill patient with painkiller in order to remove their pain, yet the patient dies as a result, Aquinas would argue they had not committed an immoral act as the consequence was unintended.
  • Gerard J. Hughes suggests in his book “Christian Ethics: An introduction” (1998) that Natural Law is intimately in tune with human nature and by focusing on following conscience and practical reason allows a margin for error as long as intentions were to follow good.
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21
Q

ESSAY PLAN - NATURAL LAW/SITUATION ETHICS

“How effective is Natural Law/ Situation Ethics when applied to Euthanasia? “

POINT 2 - conclusiveresponse

consequentialist

A

• Not only is DE arguably an impractical aspect of the theory (insofar as intentions can never be proven) it also seems rather contradictory to the theory’s deontological rooting Surely Double Effect highlights the issue with absolute moral principles – one should always act depending upon the situation and reject “prefabricated and prescriptive rules”

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22
Q

ESSAY PLAN - NATURAL LAW/SITUATION ETHICS

“How effective is Natural Law/ Situation Ethics when applied to Euthanasia? “

POINT 3

right to self determination, autonomy (mill)

A
  • Right to die a dignified death. John Stuart Mill, in his essay ‘On Liberty’ argues that, “over himself, over his body and mind, the individual is sovereign”.
  • Liberal principle – humans are the best judge of their own happiness; they should be given maximum freedom to live their lives as they consider appropriate
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23
Q

ESSAY PLAN - NATURAL LAW/SITUATION ETHICS

“How effective is Natural Law/ Situation Ethics when applied to Euthanasia? “

POINT 3 - counter argument

stable society

A

• Indeed Natural Law is so effective because ensures the preservation of a stable society – legally allowing people to take their lives could not only run the risk of involuntary euthanasia and murder, it marginalised the weak and ranks society in terms of qualities of life, when all life is sacred! Arguably society is better able to judge the best interests of a patient.

24
Q

ESSAY PLAN - NATURAL LAW/SITUATION ETHICS

“How effective is Natural Law/ Situation Ethics when applied to Euthanasia? “

POINT 3 - conclusive response

personalism

A
  • By forcing one to live will a terminal illness where the QoL is non-existent, we are stripping individuals of their autonomy. In his 1954 book, ‘Morals and Medicine’ he argues a patient’s medical condition has to be the starting point; not absolute rules.
  • A stable society is not one which prevents people from making choices about their own life and death. We should apply the Golden Rule and principle of agape love, situationally, in order to make most ethical and humane decisions
25
Q

ESSAY PLAN - SITUATION ETHICS

“how useful is situation ethics when applied to euthanasia?”

POINT 1

sanctity of life vs quality of life

A

• Vitalist principle – life is a gift from God, thus intrinsically valuable, “in the image of God he created them” (Genesis 1). Only God can choose when to end a life, “the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away” (Job 1) – ensures life is preserved and protected at all costs, in line with the Hippocratic Oath – save lives and abstain from harm.

26
Q

ESSAY PLAN - SITUATION ETHICS

“how useful is situation ethics when applied to euthanasia?”

POINT 1 - counter argument

quality of life (fletcher + dworkin)

A

• By forcing one to live will a terminal illness where the QoL is non-existent, we are stripping individuals of their autonomy. In his 1954 book, ‘Morals and Medicine’ Fletcher argues a patient’s medical condition has to be the starting point; not absolute rules PERSONALISM
• Ronald Dworkin, in ‘Life Dominion’, points out that life is a gift, not a burden; sanctity encompasses preservation but also a high quality – Dianne Petty 2002 Motor Neurone disease, denied the right to die thus lived a low quality of life forcing people to stay alive disrespects not only their autonomy, but the sanctity of their life, as its quality diminishes
R: SLIPPERY SLOPE, STABLE SOCIETY

27
Q

ESSAY PLAN - SITUATION ETHICS

“how useful is situation ethics when applied to euthanasia?”

POINT 1 - counter response

slippery slope, stable society (pope paul)

A

• Many argue it is impossible to judge when life becomes worthless; people may be coerced into thinking their life is of a diminished quality. Pope Paul in Evangelium Vitae argued legalising euthanasia results in devaluing human life and a culture of death – Nazi eugenics programme.

28
Q

ESSAY PLAN - SITUATION ETHICS

“how useful is situation ethics when applied to euthanasia?”

POINT 1 - conclusive response

best interests (kushe)

A
  • Helga Kushe, a utilitarian philosopher, has argued that in the Netherlands the slippery slope does not occur as euthanasia is regulated by legal practise – the example of Nazi eugenics would not occur in democratic societies and is an extreme case.
  • By following the values commonly applied to medical ethics, Benefice (acting in the best interests of the patient) and non-maleficence (first, do no harm), one can see that Diane Petty should have been allowed the right to die – religious deontological morality jeopordises the interests of patients in favour of moral absolutes; leads to puritanism.
29
Q

ESSAY PLAN - SITUATION ETHICS

“how useful is situation ethics when applied to euthanasia?”

POINT 2

deontological vs consequentialist, hard to judge best interests (glover)

A
  • Better to act in a deontological way as not all patients can express their interests or of a sound mind due to an illness – Tony bland PVS, impossible to act according to his best interests
  • Jonathan Glover, in ‘Causing Death and Saving Lives’ has argued that if they are making the decision in a diminished mental state then they are not truly autonomous the decision must be “properly thought out, not merely the result of a temporary emotional state. Patients may not be able to decipher their best interests as the illness may bring about confusion or depression, which could be temporary when the impact of euthanasia is permanent.
  • By providing them with palliative care we avoid involuntary euthanasia, which may or may not go against the will of the patient.
30
Q

ESSAY PLAN - SITUATION ETHICS

“how useful is situation ethics when applied to euthanasia?”

POINT 2 - counter argument

situationism, agape love (six propositions + singer)

A
  • SIX PROPOSITIONS: Clearly there are many cases of euthanasia, thus highlighting we cannot act in accordance to absolute rules – must act situationally, following the principle of agape: charitable, unconditional love. “Justice is love distributed” – tough love.
  • Peter Singer offers an instrumentalist view of the body, arguing it is useful insofar as it allows for preferences and desires to be fulfilled – no intrinsic worth and to think so leads to immoral and inhumane decision making
31
Q

ESSAY PLAN - SITUATION ETHICS

“how useful is situation ethics when applied to euthanasia?”

POINT 2 - counter response

double effect (hughes)

A
  • Actions can have complex and unforeseen consequences, and therefore must be judged on intended effects. If a doctor attempts to treat a terminally ill patient with painkiller in order to remove their pain, yet the patient dies as a result, Aquinas would argue they had not committed an immoral act as the consequence was unintended.
  • Gerard J. Hughes suggests in his book “Christian Ethics: An introduction” (1998) that Natural Law is intimately in tune with human nature and by focusing on following conscience and practical reason allows a margin for error as long as intentions were to follow good.
32
Q

ESSAY PLAN - SITUATION ETHICS

“how useful is situation ethics when applied to euthanasia?”

POINT 2 - conclusive response

consequentialist

A

• Not only is DE arguably an impractical aspect of the theory (insofar as intentions can never be proven) it also seems rather contradictory to the theory’s deontological rooting Surely Double Effect highlights the issue with absolute moral principles – one should always act depending upon the situation and reject “prefabricated and prescriptive rules”

33
Q

ESSAY PLAN - SITUATION ETHICS

“how useful is situation ethics when applied to euthanasia?”

POINT 3

right to self determination, autonomy (js mill)

A
  • Right to die a dignified death. John Stuart Mill, in his essay ‘On Liberty’ argues that, “over himself, over his body and mind, the individual is sovereign”.
  • Liberal principle – humans are the best judge of their own happiness; they should be given maximum freedom to live their lives as they consider appropriate
34
Q

ESSAY PLAN - SITUATION ETHICS

“how useful is situation ethics when applied to euthanasia?”

POINT 3 - counter argument

stable society

A

• Indeed Natural Law is so effective because ensures the preservation of a stable society – legally allowing people to take their lives could not only run the risk of involuntary euthanasia and murder, it marginalised the weak and ranks society in terms of qualities of life, when all life is sacred! Arguably society is better able to judge the best interests of a patient.

35
Q

ESSAY PLAN - SITUATION ETHICS

“how useful is situation ethics when applied to euthanasia?”

POINT 3 - conclusive response

personalism

A

• A stable society is not one which prevents people from making choices about their own life and death. We should apply the Golden Rule and principle of agape love, situationally, in order to make most ethical and humane decisions

36
Q

ESSAY PLAN - AUTONOMY OVER OWN LIFE

POINT 1

should all patients have autonomy, sanctity of life

A

A: Sanctity of life : Vitalist principle = gift from God, intrinsically valuable, “in the image of God he created them” (Genesis 1), “The lord gave and the Lord has taken away” (Job 1) human life respected. Hippocratic oath – save lives and abstain from harm.

37
Q

ESSAY PLAN - AUTONOMY OVER OWN LIFE

POINT 1 - counter argument

positivism, quality of life (dworkin + singer)

A

Creating harm by forcing people to stay alive whilst in pain (against HO). Ronald Dworkin in ‘Life Dominion’ points out that life is a gift, not a burden, and sanctity of life should indeed encompass preservation of life, but also a high quality of life. Thus the Higher Qualities argument can be used to highlight that someone in PVS should be allowed to die as they lack basic abilities and thus have no quality of life. Peter Singer – body is useful insofar as it allows for preferences and desires – no longer useful when terminally ill… (Tony Bland Hillsborough football stadium)

38
Q

ESSAY PLAN - AUTONOMY OVER OWN LIFE

POINT 1 - counter response

deontological duty to god (aquinas)

A

Aquinas explains God-given primary precepts ensure duty to God, lead to flourishing and summum bonum – suicide is blasphemy as denies gift of love. King Saul and Judas condemned in Bible. Euthanasia evidently goes against preservation of life so not permitted in any circumstance – clear and simple

39
Q

ESSAY PLAN - AUTONOMY OVER OWN LIFE

POINT 1 - conclusive response

pragmatism: inflexible and backward

A

In todays secular society it seems illogical to prevent people from dignified deaths through metaphysical hopes and fears of an afterlife instead be focusing on human experience in the here and now. Behaving in accordance to strict guidelines may lead to least ethical action i.e. keeping someone alive who is in constant, incredible pain!

40
Q

ESSAY PLAN - AUTONOMY OVER OWN LIFE

POINT 2

can all patients have autonomy - issue of involuntary euthanasia, slippery slope (pope paul)

A

: How can we judge quality of life – if there are no clear laws, it is not evident when life becomes worthless. Pope Paul, in Evangelium Vitae, argued legalising euthanasia results in devaluing of human life and a culture of death. Nazi eugenics.

41
Q

ESSAY PLAN - AUTONOMY OVER OWN LIFE

POINT 2 - counter argument

relativism, best interests (kushe)

A

: Helga Kushe and Netherlands, slippery slope does not occur as it is regulated by legal practise. Values commonly applied to medical ethics: Benefice – acting in the best interest of the patient, Non-maleficence – “first do not harm”

42
Q

ESSAY PLAN - AUTONOMY OVER OWN LIFE

POINT 2 - counter response

some patients will not express interests (glover)

A

: Better to approach issues of euthanasia in a deontological way because, for example, if one is in a PVS we cannot determine whether they wish to die or not. Jonathan Glover, in ‘Causing Death and Saving Lives’ has argued an external judgement on quality of life as well as MENTAL STATE must be made – if they are making the decision in a diminished mental state then they are not truly autonomous the decision must be “properly thought out, not merely the result of a temporary emotional state. Patients may not be able to decipher their best interests as the illness may bring about confusion or depression, which could be temporary when the impact of euthanasia is permanent. By providing them with palliative care we avoid involuntary euthanasia, which may or may not go against the will of the patient.

43
Q

ESSAY PLAN - AUTONOMY OVER OWN LIFE

POINT 2 - conclusive response

not all pragmatists autonomous

A

: Indeed, not all patients can be autonomous, however surely if a patient cannot express their desires as they are in a PVS, the most pragmatic and resourceful thing to do would be to end their lives anyway? Waste of resources to keep someone alive who is brain dead. They have no autonomy, so we cannot be going against their interests.

44
Q

ESSAY PLAN - AUTONOMY OVER OWN LIFE

POINT 3

rights to self-determination (js mill)

A

Autonomy: Right to die a dignified death. John Stuart Mill, in his essay ‘On Liberty’ argues that, “over himself, over his body and mind, the individual is sovereign”. Liberal principle – humans are the best judges of their own happiness; they should be given maximum freedom to live their lives’ as they consider appropriate. Diane Petty 2002 Motor Neurone disease.

45
Q

ESSAY PLAN - AUTONOMY OVER OWN LIFE

POINT 3 - counter argument

preservation of a stable society

A

Indeed Natural Law is so effective because ensures the preservation of a stable society – legally allowing people to take their lives could not only run the risk of involuntary euthanasia and murder, it marginalised the weak and ranks society in terms of qualities of life, when all life is sacred! Arguably society is better able to judge the best interests of a patient.

46
Q

ESSAY PLAN - AUTONOMY OVER OWN LIFE

POINT 3 - conclusive response

personalism (fletcher)

A

Personalism: By forcing one to live will a terminal illness where the QoL is non-existent, we are stripping individuals of their autonomy. In his 1954 book, ‘Morals and Medicine’ he argues a patient’s medical condition has to be the starting point; not absolute rules. Jonathan Glover: instrumentalist view of the body.
A stable society is not one which prevents people from making choices about their own life and death. We should apply the Golden Rule and principle of agape love, situationally, in order to make most ethical and humane decisions “love’s decisions are made situationally, not prescriptively”
Situation ethics works better for both theists and atheists – atheists able to make decision based on quality of life not on rigid laws set by a God they do not believe in. For theists it also works as a loving God would not encourage prolonging pain and suffering.

47
Q

ESSAY PLAN - DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEDICAL INTERVENTION AND NON-INTERVENTION

“Is there a moral difference between medical intervention to end a patient’s life and medical non-intervention?”

POINT 1

no difference, sanctity of life both immoral

A

• Vitalist principle – life is a gift from God, thus intrinsically valuable, “in the image of God he created them” (Genesis 1). Only God can choose when to end a life, “the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away” (Job 1) – ensures life is preserved and protected at all costs (PRIMARY PRECEPTS), in line with the Hippocratic Oath – save lives and abstain from harm both active and passive would go against this

48
Q

ESSAY PLAN - DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEDICAL INTERVENTION AND NON-INTERVENTION

“Is there a moral difference between medical intervention to end a patient’s life and medical non-intervention?”

POINT 1 - counter argument

passive allows natural death, god’s plan (diane petty)

A

• Dianne Petty 2002 Motor Neurone disease, denied the right to die thus lived a low quality of life passive euthanasia allows a natural death, may be preventing God’s plan if we force them to stay alive artificially. Voluntary and passive euthanasia respects God’s gift by allowing life to end before it deteriorates.

49
Q

ESSAY PLAN - DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEDICAL INTERVENTION AND NON-INTERVENTION

“Is there a moral difference between medical intervention to end a patient’s life and medical non-intervention?”

POINT 1 - counter response

slippery slope, stable society (pope paul)

A

• Pope Paul in Evangelium Vitae argued legalising euthanasia results in devaluing human life and a culture of death – Nazi eugenics programme both active and passive rejects God’s gift of life

50
Q

ESSAY PLAN - DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEDICAL INTERVENTION AND NON-INTERVENTION

“Is there a moral difference between medical intervention to end a patient’s life and medical non-intervention?”

POINT 1 - conclusive response

quality of life (dworkin + singer)

A
  • Ronald Dworkin, in ‘Life Dominion’, points out that life is a gift, not a burden; sanctity encompasses preservation but also a high quality
  • Peter Singer offers an instrumentalist view of the body, arguing it is useful insofar as it allows for preferences and desires to be fulfilled – no intrinsic worth and to think so leads to immoral and inhumane decision making
51
Q

ESSAY PLAN - DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEDICAL INTERVENTION AND NON-INTERVENTION

“Is there a moral difference between medical intervention to end a patient’s life and medical non-intervention?”

POINT 2

passive euthanasia may be acceptable, situationism, agape love (six propositions + singer)

A
  • SIX PROPOSITIONS: Clearly there are many cases of euthanasia, thus highlighting we cannot act in accordance to absolute rules – must act situationally, following the principle of agape: charitable, unconditional love. “Justice is love distributed” – tough love passive may be the most loving thing to do
  • Peter Singer offers an instrumentalist view of the body, arguing it is useful insofar as it allows for preferences and desires to be fulfilled – no intrinsic worth and to think so leads to immoral and inhumane decision making
52
Q

ESSAY PLAN - DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEDICAL INTERVENTION AND NON-INTERVENTION

“Is there a moral difference between medical intervention to end a patient’s life and medical non-intervention?”

POINT 2 - counter argument

medica intervention may go against wishes of patient (glover)

A
  • Better to act in a deontological way as not all patients can express their interests or of a sound mind due to an illness – Tony bland PVS, impossible to act according to his best interests
  • Jonathan Glover, in ‘Causing Death and Saving Lives’ has argued that if they are making the decision in a diminished mental state then they are not truly autonomous the decision must be “properly thought out, not merely the result of a temporary emotional state. Patients may not be able to decipher their best interests as the illness may bring about confusion or depression, which could be temporary when the impact of euthanasia is permanent.
  • By providing them with palliative care we avoid involuntary euthanasia, which may or may not go against the will of the patient
53
Q

ESSAY PLAN - DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEDICAL INTERVENTION AND NON-INTERVENTION

“Is there a moral difference between medical intervention to end a patient’s life and medical non-intervention?”

POINT 2 - counter response

double effect (hughes)

A
  • Actions can have complex and unforeseen consequences, and therefore must be judged on intended effects. If a doctor attempts to treat a terminally ill patient with painkiller in order to remove their pain, yet the patient dies as a result, Aquinas would argue they had not committed an immoral act as the consequence was unintended.
  • Gerard J. Hughes suggests in his book “Christian Ethics: An introduction” (1998) that Natural Law is intimately in tune with human nature and by focusing on following conscience and practical reason allows a margin for error as long as intentions were to follow good.
54
Q

ESSAY PLAN - DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEDICAL INTERVENTION AND NON-INTERVENTION

“Is there a moral difference between medical intervention to end a patient’s life and medical non-intervention?”

POINT 2 - conclusive response

consequentialist

A

• Not only is DE arguably an impractical aspect of the theory (insofar as intentions can never be proven) it also seems rather contradictory to the theory’s deontological rooting Surely Double Effect highlights the issue with absolute moral principles – one should always act depending upon the situation and reject “prefabricated and prescriptive rules”

55
Q

ESSAY PLAN - DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEDICAL INTERVENTION AND NON-INTERVENTION

“Is there a moral difference between medical intervention to end a patient’s life and medical non-intervention?”

POINT 3

both acceptable, autonomy

A
  • Right to die a dignified death. John Stuart Mill, in his essay ‘On Liberty’ argues that, “over himself, over his body and mind, the individual is sovereign”.
  • Liberal principle – humans are the best judge of their own happiness; they should be given maximum freedom to live their lives as they consider appropriate
56
Q

ESSAY PLAN - DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEDICAL INTERVENTION AND NON-INTERVENTION

“Is there a moral difference between medical intervention to end a patient’s life and medical non-intervention?”

POINT 3 - counter argument

stable society

A

• Indeed Natural Law is so effective because ensures the preservation of a stable society – legally allowing people to take their lives could not only run the risk of involuntary euthanasia and murder, it marginalised the weak and ranks society in terms of qualities of life, when all life is sacred! Arguably society is better able to judge the best interests of a patient.

57
Q

ESSAY PLAN - DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEDICAL INTERVENTION AND NON-INTERVENTION

“Is there a moral difference between medical intervention to end a patient’s life and medical non-intervention?”

POINT 3 - conclusive response

personalism

A

• A stable society is not one which prevents people from making choices about their own life and death. We should apply the Golden Rule and principle of agape love, situationally, in order to make most ethical and humane decisions

R.S. Ethics (10 decks)

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