Euthanasia Flashcards
(25 cards)
Suicide
A person dies due to their own voluntary action
Assisted suicide (AS)
Same as suicide but with another’s help.
Physician Aided Suicide (PAS)
Suicide with the help of a doctor.
Physician Aid in Dying (PAD)
When a person’s death is hastened but not directly caused by the aid of a doctor / physician.
Voluntary Euthanasia (VE)
When a person’s death is directly caused by another person at their request and consent.
Passive Euthanasia (PE)
When a doctor withdraws life sustaining treatment which causes death.
Non - Voluntary Euthanasia (NVE)
When a person’s life is ended without their consent but with the consent of somebody representing their best interests.
Persistent Vegetative State (PVS)
When someone with severe brain damage is in a state les than consciousness but still alive - normally irreversable
Vitalism
The view that life is always sacred as we possess a God - given soul.
1961 suicide act
A UK law that decriminalised suicide, removing legal penalties from those who attempt
The slippery slope
If one rule is followed, another will come that could be seen as slightly less legitimate but will still be accepted, etc.
Who was Diane Pretty?
A woman with motor neurone disease who wanted legal help to end her life.
Why was Diane Pretty denied the right to die?
The European Court of Human Rights appealed that the right to life does not constitute the right to die as well.
Weak sanctity of Life
Although human life is always valuable, there may be situations where it would cause more harm than good to continue with
Quality of Life Principle
Human life has to possess certain attributes in order to have value.
Sanctity of life principle
Life is sacred due to it being a god - given gift.
Instrumentalism
Something or someone is only if it is useful and achieves a desired purpose.
Liberal Principle
JS MILL - Humans are the best judge of their own happiness - they should have full autonomy over their own life.
Paternalism
Justifies overriding personal autonomy if it is for the individual’s own good.
Social Stability
Euthanasia is a sign that society has failed in its duty to care for all of its members.
Duty to God
Suicide (∴Euthanasia) is a failure of one’s duty to protect an innocent life.
Pragmatism
Using limited resources to keep a terminally ill patient alive at the cost of the lives of other patients is unjustifiable.
Relativism
Depending on the situation, you can help to end somebody’s life by terminating their life.
Positivism
Allowing someone to die can be the most loving depending on their situation.
