Euthanasia

Question 1

What is the definition of Euthanasia?

Answer 1

Literally means ‘good death’ comes from the greek words ‘Eu’ (well/good) and ‘Thanatos’ (death)

Question 2

Active euthanasia?

Answer 2

A treatment is given that directly causes the death of the individual - this is legally wrong.

Question 3

Passive euthanasia?

Answer 3

A treatment is withheld and this indirectly causes the death of the individual.

Question 4

Non-voluntary Euthanasia?

Answer 4

Where a severely or terminally ill person’s life is ended without their consent, perhaps because they are unable to give consent. (Tony Bland precedent)

Question 5

Sanctity of life meaning?

Answer 5

The idea that life is intrinsically sacred and valuable and should be valued above all else.

Question 6

Why do christians believe the sanctity of life is important?

Answer 6

Because we are made in the image of God - “Imago Dei” and it is God given so it wrong to take it no matter the quality of life.

Question 7

Biblical support for Sanctity of life? (genesis 1:27)

Answer 7

“so God created humankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them”

Question 8

Biblical support for Sanctity of life? (Exodus 20:13)

Answer 8

“you shall not murder” - debated whether about murder specifically or killing but the idea of sacred life is upheld.

Question 9

Biblical support for Sanctity of life? (Job 1 :21)

Answer 9

“The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away” - It is Gods decision the moment of Birth and the moment of death. We cannot decide as humans.

Question 10

What is quality of life?

Answer 10

The idea that life’s value depends on certain attributes or goods, for example, happiness and autonomy.

Question 11

What does Peter singer say about quality of life? what are his 5 commandments?

Answer 11

Wants to replace the sanctity of life with 5 quality of life commandments
1. Recognise that the worth of human life varies
2. Take responsibility for the consequences of your decisions (to save or end life)
3.Respect a person’s desire to live pr die
4.Bring children into the world only if they are wanted.
5. Do not discriminate on the basis of species.

Question 12

Where does the idea of autonomy come from?

Answer 12

Traces back to J.S Mills Harm principle in utilitarian thinking that if we wish to harm ourselves we should be permitted to.

Question 13

What does Peter Singers Preference Utilitarianism say about autonomy?

Answer 13

Humans should be free to pursue their own desires and interests where possible - includes making our own decisions about our death.

Question 14

Voluntary euthanasia?

Answer 14

Where a person’s life is ended at their own request. Usually this is done by another individual and is because of a terminal illness.

Question 15

What does Jonathon Glover say about voluntary euthanasia?

Answer 15

That there needs to be checks as to whether someone should be assisted to die - Quality of life and mental state evaluations.

Question 16

What is the problem with PVS in the eyes of Euthanasia (non-voluntary)

Answer 16

They do not have autonomy, however if the person has given instructions then arguably their autonomy has been respected.

Question 17

Why does not having instructions death make problems for people who counter Euthanasia?

Answer 17

Not only disregards the sanctity of life but may also lead to a slippery slope where euthanasia is practiced more widely.

Question 18

Quote from the Hippocratic oath

Answer 18

“I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody if asked for it, not will I make a suggestion to that effect”

Question 19

Why does the Hippocratic oath have contradictions?

Answer 19

Cannot do something to cause death but also says there is no point pursuing treatment who are overcome by a disease and are powerless.

Question 20

What is the difference between an Act and an Omission?

Answer 20

Act - an ‘Act’ Causes death is morally and legally wrong.
Omission - (stopping treatment when the outcome will still be death) is not morally wrong (prevents further pain)

Question 21

What is Rachels’ Challenge to Acts and Omissions? what is this thought experiment?

Answer 21

the distinction between the two is not helpful.
- Smith will inherit a fortune if his nephew dies. He drowns him in the bath and makes it look an accident. (this is an Act)
- Jones will inherit a fortune from his nephew if he dies. he sees his nephew slip in bath and hit his head (drowning) He watches and does nothing (an omission - jones could have saved him)

Whilst smith is legally guiltier than jones, what is worse morally - Euthanasia by omission mat even be worse because it takes longer.

Question 22

What does Glover mean by Ordinary and Extraordinary means - what are his 5 options in regard to euthanasia

Answer 22

Ordinary means - removing water or food
extraordinary means - Highly expensive treatments

1. Take all possible steps to preserve life
   2.Take all ordinary steps to preserve life but not Extraordinary means.
2. Not killing but taking no steps to preserve life
3. An Act which, not intending to kill, has death asa possible consequence.
4. The deliberate act of killing.

Question 23

who does Singer use to distinguish between Acts and omissions and what does he say?

Answer 23

Tony Bland Case. Questions wether the removal of feeding tubes is an ‘Act’ that lead to his death or an ‘omission’ - omitting to feed him.

Question 24

What might Natural Law allow?

Answer 24

Allowing someone to die naturally - but defiantly not cutting life short.

Question 25

Why does Natural Law have a problem with Euthanasia?

Answer 25

one of the Precepts of Natural Law is preservation of life - this is revealed by divine law seen in the key texts (10 commandments and Job1:21) - It could also be argued to allow euthanasia could rick an ordered society (An apparent good not a real good)

Question 26

How could the doctrine of the double effect allow non-voluntary euthanasia

Answer 26

Allows pain relief through morphine with intention to relive pain but the bad outcome is that it may be intentionally shortening life.

Question 27

What does Natural Law say about extraordinary means?

Answer 27

That whilst water and food (ordinary means) would always be permitted to try and extend life through extraordinary means would also be messing with Gods plan.

Question 28

Strengths of Natural Law - Value

Answer 28

It upholds the intrinsic value of life

Question 29

Strengths of Natural Law - Double effect

Answer 29

The doctrine of the double effect gives sensible flexibility to relieve pain when there is not prospect of saving life.

Question 30

Strengths of Natural Law - Slippery slope

Answer 30

Prevents people from abusing power over others and putting themselves above God and prevents slippery slope.

Question 31

Weaknesses of Natural Law - Outdated

Answer 31

Its foundation relies on religion which is outdated and may not be true

Question 32

Weaknesses of Natural Law - no compassion

Answer 32

It is legalistic and shows no compassion to the pain and suffering of the individual.

Question 33

Weaknesses of Natural Law - Removes autonomy

Answer 33

Its focus of sanctity of life removes people individual autonomy about their own Bodies.

Question 34

What case study does Fletcher use to support euthanasia?

Answer 34

Ill man decides to refuse treatment ad thus shortening his life, or even speed up his own death through euthanasia this would not be wrong - the most loving outcome would be to refuse treatment.

Question 35

Why would SE's personalism support euthanasia?

Answer 35

One of SE's main principles and is about people and their welfare rather than in keeping with the law.

Question 36

How would SE respond to commandments such as 'do not kill'

Answer 36

SE rejects legalism in favour of asking what is most loving. Rules such as 'do not Kill' are Sophia (general rules of wisdom) and can be broken if love demands it.

Question 37

Why is it good that SE is relativist and not prescriptivist?

Answer 37

Love's decisions are made situationally and there is no overruling rule which has to be followed. - (book morals and medicine) the patients medical conditions must the starting point for any decision in medical ethics. sometimes euthanasia is the right option.

Question 38

Strengths of Situation Ethics - Flexibility

Answer 38

Flexible to individual situations and highlights how two situations are not the same

Question 39

Strengths of Situation Ethics - Possible outcome

Answer 39

The instruction of prescribing agape Love is ensuring the best possible outcome for the individual and their family.

Question 40

Weaknesses of Situation Ethics - Vague

Answer 40

The aim "to the do the most loving thing" is too vague - the most loving thing is subjective and a matter of perspective.

Question 41

Weaknesses of Situation Ethics - Prediction Of future

Answer 41

SE shares the weakness of utilitarianism that it requires the prediction of future events which can never be certain.

Question 42

Strengths of Sanctity of Life - lead to people feeling like burdens

Answer 42

If we do not uphold the sanctity of life it can lead to poorer treatment and people may feel like they are a burden

Question 43

Strengths of Sanctity of Life - It is not a bad thing

Answer 43

Many modern day person ethics have this as their origins and attempt to express similar sentiment.

Question 44

Against Sanctity of Life - Assumes religion

Answer 44

The sanctity of life assumes a religious worldview which is not accurate in the 21st century according to recent census 's

Question 45

Against Sanctity of Life - Counters modern technology and medical Knowledge

Answer 45

Now we have advanced understanding of medicine and the human body and know whether a treatment will work or not.

Question 46

Against Sanctity of Life - SE rejects Legalism

Answer 46

Far more important to have a case-by-case rather than set rules which helps do the most loving thing.

Question 47

Against Sanctity of Life - Increased suffering

Answer 47

By prolonging death the patients suffering may be unnecessarily increased.

Question 48

Against Sanctity of Life - Peter singer

Answer 48

It is outdated and needs to be replaced because it does not care about autonomy or control - people ought to have freedom.

Question 49

What is the slippery slope argument?

Answer 49

may lead to vulnerable groups such as the elderly or disabled being pressured because they feel a burden to society especially when treatment in expensive compared to death. They use the abortion debate to highlight the issue - when first released they believed there would be a few thousand each year - there is now over 180,000 cased per year in the UK alone.

Question 50

What is singers response to the slippery slope?

Answer 50

He uses the case study of the Netherlands where euthanasia is legal and there 48,000 end-of-life decisions - out of all of these only 2 cases was seen that there was possibility the decision was made against their will - but this could be explained by poor documentation.