Euthanasia Flashcards
(22 cards)
What is euthanasia?
Euthanasia translates from Greek as ‘good/ easy death’.
Illegal in the UK - but legal in some countries including Belgium and Netherlands. Only 7% of the world legalises euthanasia.
What is Quality of Life?
The worth of human life - life’s value depends on whether you are in possession of certain ‘goods’ e.g. happiness and autonomy.
Subjective. Secular/ non-religious. Promoted by Peter Singer.
What is Sanctity of Life?
Life is intrinsically valuable because it is sacred and created by God. Human beings are made “imago dei” - in the image and lifeless of God.
Religious. Expressed in the 10 commandments - ‘do not kill’.
Why is the Sanctity of Life still relevant? (Include quotes)
“In the image of God He created them” Genesis
“Do not kill” Exodus
“The Lord gave and takes away” Job
What did Pope John Paul II say with regards to the Sanctity of Life?
“Euthanasia is a grave violation against the Law of God.”
What is the difference between active and passive euthanasia?
ACTIVE = Killing a patient painlessly by active means e.g. injection of a drug.
PASSIVE = Intentionally allowing a patient to die by removing/ withholding life support.
What is the difference between voluntary and non-voluntary euthanasia?
VOLUNTARY = When a person’s life is ended at their request/ with their consent.
NON-VOLUNTARY = When a person’s life is ended without their consent (because they are unable to give it) but with the consent of another. E.g. if in a PVS or a coma.
Autonomy
The belief that we should be able to have choice around our own lives.
What did Glover say about autonomy and euthanasia? (He acts as a middle ground)
“I must be convinced that your decision is a serious one… not merely the result of a temporary emotional state.”
Give three examples of people who were/ were not able to be euthanised?
- Tony Nicklinson (starved himself to death because he was unable to be euthanasia - he was paralysed, described his life as a ‘living nightmare’).
- Archie Battersby
- Dianne Pretty (Husband would be arrested if he supported)
- Baby Charlotte and Alfie (Gov. overrode parents)
What quote did Mill say that showed he might be in favour of euthanasia?
“Over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign.”
What did Peter Saunders say about euthanasia? (Against E)
“The right to die can too easily become a duty to die.”
(Similar to the slippery slope idea)
What does the Hippocratic oath say with regards to life/ death?
“I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody if asked for it.”
Explain James Rachel’s act and omission argument:
She uses the experiment of ‘drowning a young nephew’.
There is a difference between acts and omissions, omissions are passive whereas acts are active. Although many may see act as morally worse, he argued that both are equally as bad.
In fact, when we consider the issues of euthanasia, passive euthanasia by omission may even be crueller as the death takes longer and is more painful.
What is the slippery slope argument, and why is it irrelevant (according to Singer)?
It is a potential weakness to legalising euthanasia, however Singer cites a review stating that of the 48,000 end-of-life decisions made, only 2 cases where questioned.
What would NML say about euthanasia?
It would deny it as it violates the Divine Law (10 commandments) and the PP ‘Preservation of Life’. However, it would be allowed in some cases due to the DofDE and proportionalism.
What should we consider when comparing natural moral law to euthanasia?
- Synderesis Principle (‘Do good and avoid evil’)
- 4 Tiers of Law (Eternal, Divine, Natural and Human)
- 5 Primary Precepts (POWER)
- DofDE
- Proportionalism (Hoose)
With regards to the DofDE what does the Catechism of the Catholic Church say about euthanasia?
“The use of painkillers to alleviate the suffering of the dying… if death is… only foreseen and tolerated as inevitable.”
Evaluate the effectiveness of applying NML to euthanasia? (One strength and one weakness)
+ Upholds the intrinsic value of life.
+ Prevents hmans from abusing power over others and putting themselves in the place of God.
+ DofDE gives flexibility.
- May appear outdated.
- Shows no compassions for the pain and suffering experienced.
- Focuses on sanctity of life meaning that the quality of life is not seen as important.
What would SE say about euthanasia?
Depending on the situation it would probably accept it if it is the most loving action (because of the presupposition ‘personalism’).
What should we consider when comparing situation ethics to euthanasia?
- Situationism
- Agape Calculus
- Four Presuppositions (Positivism, Pragmatism, Personalism and Relativism)
- Six working principles
- Teachings of Jesus
Evaluate the effectiveness of applying SE to euthanasia? (One strength and one weakness)
+ Flexible to individual situations.
+ Emphasises autonomy. “Conscience is a verb.”
+Agapeic love = a personal focus.
- Too vague.
- Lack of structure and rules. Gives a “terrifying amount of freedom” (Barclay).
- Open to exploitation.
