Current Issue- Euthanasia

Question 1

Define euthanasia

Answer 1

• The ‘painless, deliberate killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or an irreversible coma’

Question 2

CCC definition of euthanasia

Answer 2

• CCC “Putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons”

Question 3

What are the two types of euthanasia

Answer 3

active and passive

Question 4

define active euthanasia and an example

Answer 4

when a person ‘deliberately and physically intervenes to end a person’s life’, for example, injecting them with a large doses of sedatives

Question 5

define passive euthanasia and an example

Answer 5

‘death caused by withholding or withdrawing treatments necessary to maintain life,’ for example, withholding antibiotics from someone with pneumonia

Question 6

Why does euthanasia cause issues

Answer 6

• Human rights issue
• Human emotional issue, brings morality into social scope
  o Differing opinions of human worth and power of humans over death

Question 7

what are social and political implications of euthanasia

Answer 7

o Political: battles to legalize enters political arena rather than judicial
o Social: changing in ideas of value of life
♣ 2009 Newspoll ‘Should a doctor be able to give a lethal dose to patient?’= 85% Australia agreed

Question 8

what is the catholic stance on euthanasia

Answer 8

• Catholic beliefs align with human dignity
• Great opposition, categorizes as murder and ‘morally unacceptable’
• Opposition originates from teachings, beliefs and scripture

Question 9

what are the three teachings of catholics that oppose euthanasia

Answer 9

ten commandments, life is sacred, stewardship

Question 10

explain the teaching of ten commandments

Answer 10

• Laws given by God for all humans to live by
• The fifth commandment ‘Thou shall not kill.”
• Ending life (despite means or intentions) is a violation of a teaching of God.

Question 11

explain the teaching of life is sacred

Answer 11

• Life created by God, therefore divine purpose for every individual
• Genesis 9:8-10 “All life is sacred. Human life is especially so. Protecting it is of utmost importance to God”

Question 12

explain the teaching of

Answer 12

• We are stewards of lives, not owners.
• Only creator can take life
• I Corinthians 6:19 “Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives within you and who was given to you by god? You do not belong to yourself but to God’

Question 13

What is australias stance on euthanasia

Answer 13

currently illegal
- though with several several political parties and groups putting forward stance and deliberations
has shifted from social issue into the political arena

Question 14

what is the secular societal view

Answer 14

voluntary should be legalised

- “dying with dignity should be a basic human right’ VEP

Question 15

What are two arguments for the secular view

Answer 15

1. right to control his or her body

2. morally wrong to prevent person who is suffering

Question 16

explain the argument that people should have right to control their body

Answer 16

• no person, government body, or god has right to make decision
• death is private matter

Question 17

explain the argument that its morally wrong to prevent a person who wishes to end their life as they suffer more

Answer 17

• die with dignity

- quality of life

Question 18

how do the two views interplay

Answer 18

through their opposition and opposing view