How can one apply natural law to euthanasia? Flashcards
(16 cards)
Introduction
- Define euthanasia and its type
Define euthanasia and its types:
• Voluntary (with consent), Non-voluntary (no consent, e.g., vegetative state or infants), Active (direct action to cause death), Passive (withholding treatment causing death).
Introduce Natural Law ethics:
• Rooted in Aquinas, based on Divine Law and rational understanding of God’s design in human nature.
• Primary precepts: preservation of life, ordered society, worship of God, education of offspring, and living in society.
• Emphasises following God’s natural plan; euthanasia conflicts with primary precepts, especially preservation of life.
State essay aim:
• To explore how Natural Law applies to euthanasia, considering the sanctity of life, reason, and order, and evaluate whether this approach remains relevant or is outdated in modern contexts.
Outline structure:
• First main paragraph: Explain Natural Law’s stance on euthanasia in detail and apply it to types of euthanasia, including the Catholic Church’s use of double effect.
• Second main paragraph: Evaluate Natural Law’s application by contrasting it with other ethical theories and modern critiques, addressing challenges such as outdatedness and societal changes.
• Conclude with a balanced line of argument that relates back to the question.
Paragraph 1
Main Body Paragraph 1: Natural Law’s Application to Euthanasia
Main Body Paragraph 1: Natural Law’s Application to Euthanasia
A01
• Natural Law basics:
Aquinas’ idea of ‘divine law’ and ‘natural law’ – God’s rational plan accessible through human reason.
Main Body Paragraph 1: Natural Law’s Application to Euthanasia
A01
• Euthanasia violates preservation of life:
• Active or voluntary euthanasia directly ends life, violating natural law’s core.
• Non-voluntary euthanasia also problematic because it involves ending life without consent, disrupting natural order.
• Even passive euthanasia is controversial; however, the Catholic Church allows some passive euthanasia under the doctrine of double effect if the primary intention is not death (e.g., withdrawing treatment or administering painkillers that may hasten death as a side effect).
Main Body Paragraph 1: Natural Law’s Application to Euthanasia
A01
• Sanctity of life principle:
• Life is a gift from God, humans don’t own their lives, only God has the right to end it (supported by biblical references: Genesis – image of God, 10 commandments, 1 Corinthians – body as temple).
• Euthanasia is therefore a rejection of God’s sovereignty over life and death.
Main Body Paragraph 1: Natural Law’s Application to Euthanasia
A01
• Societal order:
• Allowing euthanasia undermines social harmony, creates disharmony as it opposes God’s design, leading to immorality and societal breakdown.
• Quoting Mother Theresa’s argument about abortion as a slippery slope undermining respect for life.
Main Body Paragraph 1: Natural Law’s Application to Euthanasia
A01
• Summary of application:
Natural Law condemns euthanasia as immoral.
Only treatments with unintended secondary consequences leading to death may be acceptable under double effect, preserving moral law.
Paragraph 2
Main Body Paragraph 2: Evaluation of Natural Law’s Application to Euthanasia
Main Body Paragraph 2: Evaluation of Natural Law’s Application to Euthanasia
Strengths
• Provides clear, absolute moral guidance; respects inherent human dignity and value of life.
• Prevents slippery slope: by holding life as sacred and non-negotiable, protects vulnerable from societal pressure or devaluation.
• Rooted in tradition and biblical authority, important for many religious believers.
Main Body Paragraph 2: Evaluation of Natural Law’s Application to Euthanasia
Weaknesses
Outdatedness argument
• Aquinas’ ethics designed for medieval socio-economic context: less education, more chaos, necessitating rigid rules for social stability.
• Modern society is more educated, civilised, and capable of nuanced ethical reasoning, so absolute bans may be too rigid now.
Main Body Paragraph 2: Evaluation of Natural Law’s Application to Euthanasia
Weaknesses
Challenges from other theories
• Quality of life theory (Singer): life’s value based on happiness vs suffering; supports euthanasia where life quality is low.
• Autonomy arguments (Nozick): people own their bodies and should choose death if desired.
• Situation ethics (Fletcher): love (agape) can justify euthanasia if it maximises compassion.
Main Body Paragraph 2: Evaluation of Natural Law’s Application to Euthanasia
Weaknesses
Natural laws rigidity may cause harm
Refusing euthanasia may prolong suffering and deny compassionate care.
Modern medicine’s ability to prolong life beyond natural limits makes Natural Law’s original assumptions less relevant.
Main Body Paragraph 2: Evaluation of Natural Law’s Application to Euthanasia
Weaknesses
Relevance of double effect
Allows some flexibility (passive euthanasia) but doesn’t resolve tension fully.
Main Body Paragraph 2: Evaluation of Natural Law’s Application to Euthanasia
Overall evaluation
• Natural Law’s strict prohibition reflects profound respect for life and societal order but struggles with modern complexities of suffering and autonomy.
• May require reinterpretation or integration with other ethical principles to remain applicable.
Conclusion
• Natural Law provides a strong, coherent framework opposing euthanasia based on sanctity of life and preserving social order in accordance with divine reason.
• It firmly rejects euthanasia as a violation of God’s law and human nature, with nuanced allowance for double effect in passive euthanasia.
• However, its application is increasingly challenged by modern societal changes, advancements in medicine, and competing ethical theories emphasizing quality of life and personal autonomy.
• A rigid Natural Law approach may be too inflexible and outdated, failing to address genuine suffering and human dignity in contemporary contexts.
• Therefore, while Natural Law offers valuable moral insight into euthanasia, its application should be critically evaluated alongside other theories and modern realities to ensure compassionate and ethical decision-making.
LOA
Natural Law’s fundamental opposition to euthanasia remains ethically significant but must be balanced with considerations of quality of life and autonomy in practice; its application requires thoughtful interpretation rather than strict absolutism in today’s complex moral landscape.
