Define euthanasia
- The ‘painless, deliberate killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or an irreversible coma’
CCC definition of euthanasia
- CCC “Putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons”
What are the two types of euthanasia
active and passive
define active euthanasia and an example
when a person ‘deliberately and physically intervenes to end a person’s life’, for example, injecting them with a large doses of sedatives
define passive euthanasia and an example
‘death caused by withholding or withdrawing treatments necessary to maintain life,’ for example, withholding antibiotics from someone with pneumonia
Why does euthanasia cause issues
- Human rights issue
- Human emotional issue, brings morality into social scope
o Differing opinions of human worth and power of humans over death
what are social and political implications of euthanasia
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
what is the catholic stance on euthanasia
- Catholic beliefs align with human dignity
- Great opposition, categorizes as murder and ‘morally unacceptable’
- Opposition originates from teachings, beliefs and scripture
what are the three teachings of catholics that oppose euthanasia
ten commandments, life is sacred, stewardship
explain the teaching of ten commandments
- 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.
explain the teaching of life is sacred
- 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”
explain the teaching of
- 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’
What is australias stance on euthanasia
currently illegal
- though with several several political parties and groups putting forward stance and deliberations
has shifted from social issue into the political arena
what is the secular societal view
voluntary should be legalised
- “dying with dignity should be a basic human right’ VEP
What are two arguments for the secular view
- right to control his or her body
2. morally wrong to prevent person who is suffering
explain the argument that people should have right to control their body
- no person, government body, or god has right to make decision
- death is private matter
explain the argument that its morally wrong to prevent a person who wishes to end their life as they suffer more
- die with dignity
- quality of life
how do the two views interplay
through their opposition and opposing view
