What is assisted suicide?
A person who wishes to die is helped to die by another person. They may or may not be terminally ill.
What is euthanasia?
Literally ‘a good death’. The act of dying with dignity in situations where you could be terminally ill etc.
What is suicide?
A person making a voluntary choice to take their own life.
What is active euthanasia?
A treatment is given that directly causes the death of an individual.
What is voluntary euthanasia?
When a person gives consent to have their life ended.
What is non-voluntary euthanasia?
Where a severely or terminally ill persons life is ended without their consent as they may not be able to give consent.
What is passive euthanasia?
A treatment is withheld which indirectly causes the death of an individual (e.g stopping life support).
What is sanctity of life?
The Idea that life is intrinsically sacred and valuable (and by extension, only God can take it). Commonly associated with less liberal religious groups such as Catholic Christians.
It is morally wrong to kill as all humans are made in imageo dei.
What is quality of life?
The idea that life’s valuable depends on certain attributes or goodness (such as happiness or autonomy.
What is a quote within the Ten Commandments linking to the sanctity of life?
‘Thou shalt not kill’
What is Hippocrates opinion on euthanasia? (written in the Hippocratic Corpus)
He states that it would be wrong to do something that would cause the death of a person - yet states it would be useless to continue medicine on a person overcome by disease. It seems that Hippocrates was an advocate for passive and involuntary euthanasia.
What is the difference between an act and omission within euthanasia?
An act (directly helping/assisting) is morally and legally wrong.
An omission (stopping a treatment that is prolonging inevitable death and suffering) is not necessarily morally wrong..
How did James Rachel’s offer a thought experiment to highlight how acts and omissions are both morally reprehensible?
Suppose you would inherit a fortune if a nephew dies. If you see him slip and hit his head, then slowly drown, this is an act of omission and passive euthanasia, but still morally bad.
Counter: this example is flawed as you aren’t prolonging death by helping the person. You could save their life.
What are Jonathan Glover’s five versions of euthanasia?
‘Take all possible steps to preserve life’
‘Take all ordinary steps to preserve life’
‘Not killing but not taking any steps to preserve life’
‘An act which whilst not intending to kill has death as an unintended consequence’
‘The deliberate act of killing”
(ordinary = helping with food, water etc)
(extraordinary = helping with expensive medical means)
Why would Natural Law oppose Euthanasia? (think precepts and double effect doctrine)
It is one of the primary precepts to preserve life. Absolute and legalistic unlike situation ethics.
However, double effect doctrine may justify providing pain relief even if it speeds up death.
Remember, you need to explain why the ethical response is good/bad to achieve AO2.
Why might natural law be a good response to euthanasia?
Upholds the intrinsic value of life
Principle of double effect gives a sensible flexibility when there is no prospect of saving life
Prevents Humans from abusing power over others and putting themselves in the place of God.
Why might natural law be a bad response to euthanasia?
Religious foundations are slightly outdated in secular society
Legalistic and shows no passion to those in pain and suffering
Focus on sanctity of life overrides important aspects of quality of life such as autonomy
How might Situation Ethics respond to euthanasia?
Situation ethics has ‘personalism’ as one of its four principles. As a result, a focus on what the person wants and desires is key. Relativist and rejecting legalism unlike Natural Law.
Why might situation ethics be a reasonable approach to euthanasia?
Flexible to individual situations - recognises no two situations are the same.
Agape love, if understood, is about ensuring the best outcome for all person involved.
Why might Situation Ethics be flawed approach to euthanasia?
‘Do the most loving thing’ is vague and invites any sort of action.
Requires a prediction of the future where the most loving outcome is uncertain.
What is the slippery slope argument against euthanasia?
where respect for life after legalising euthanasia slowly declines and thus pressure to die may be exerted on those vulnerable and such.
What are the cases for sanctity of life?
Concerns that if we do not uphold the cause of life it may lead to poorer treatment of people
Supported by Natural Law and influential religious groups such as Catholics
Bible: ‘Thou shalt not kill’
Cases against sanctity of life?
Assumes a religious worldview in which not everyone in 21st century society has.
Suffering may be unnecessarily induced.
Peter singer: Sanctity of life is a part of an old-fashioned ethic that needs to be replaced. Goes against autonomy and control.
We no longer need to value life at all costs if we know what can be saved and what can’t.
How did Peter Singer respond to the slippery slope argument?
He cited a study in the Netherlands, where euthanasia is legal. There were around 48,000 end of life euthanasia decisions. After assessing each situation, it was noted that only two scenarios where were lives were ended under pressure/against will.
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Key Terms From Sheet19
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Philosophy: (1 + 2) Ancient Philosophical Thought & Soul, Mind And Body82
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Ethics: (1) Utilitarianism39
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Ethics: (2) Natural Law32
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Random Cool Stuff15
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Ethics (3): Situation Ethics25
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Philosophy: (3) Teleological Argument17
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Ethics: (4) Kantian Ethics30
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Philosophy (3): Cosmological Argument14
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DICT: (1) Teachings of St Augustine39
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DICT: (?) Christian Moral Principles.42
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Philosophy: (4) Ontological Argument20
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Ethics (5): Euthanasia31
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Philosophy: (5) Religious Experience54
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DICT: (?) Pluralism, Exclusivism and Inclusivism.20
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Philosophy: (6) The Problem of Evil28
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Ethics (6): Business Ethics30
