Voluntary Euthanasia And Assisted Suicide

Question 1

Nml

Answer 1

Both contravene three of the pp:
•worship of god - life is gods gift to humans
* the preservation of innocent life - as the giver of life, god alone has the right to take it away
*an ordered society:
it encourages discrimination against the disabled.

‘everyone is responsible for his life before God who has given it to him. it is god who remains the sovereign master of life’ ‘ we are stewards not owners of the life god has entrusted to us. it is not ours to dispose of’
suffering can have the positive purpose of enabling spiritual growth e.g develop compassion.
the Catholic Church distinguishes between proportionate and disproportionate means.
- where the tech or medication simply prolongs the dying without conferring any benefits, it is morally permissible to refuse such treatment.
- this is not viewed as euthanasia but as allowing nature to take its course in the most merciful way.

Aquinas in effect rejected any form of euthanasia or suicide.
According to aquinas the most fearsome evil is not pain or disability but death itself.
Suicide is against is contrary to the natural inclination of any life form to stay alive, it infured the community and lifeis a gift from god.
Cant be justified bc rejects preserving life and worship god.
Also reject ordered society.

Euthanasia and assisted suicide ignore the value of suffering for salvation as seen in the value of christs suffering on the church.

Refer to sanctity of life or the dignity of life

Question 2

S. E

Answer 2

Has a right to live as well as a right to die.
The case has to be judged on its own merits.
S.e would try to find a rational, pragmatic and personal decision that’s appropriate to the case.

Question 3

Virtue ethics

Answer 3

If a person is in a state where they are unable to achieve eudaimonidia, then further living would seem to be pointless, in which case, Aristotle might accept that voluntary euthanasia ot assisted suicide are the courageous option.
Alternatively enduring pain might be equally courageous.

There are virtues of charity and love however theres no doubt that aristotle would place justice above charity and love since he regards murder in the same light as theft and adultery: as actions that can never be justified.

Question 4

V.e

Doesnt show us how to act in such a situation. The decision depends on practical wisdom

Answer 4

Michael haneles film; amour 2012 about an old Married couple Anne and George. Anne suffered a stroke and is in is unable to play the piano. She tells George she doesn’t want to continue living. George tries to look after her but she suffers a second stroke and now has severe dementia and is incapable of speech. Both George as a carer looking after his dying loved one and his wife are ongoing unbearable suffering. At the end of the film George tells the non-responsive wife a story and then killed her by smothering her with a pillow he then adorns the bed with flowers his last act of love for her.