What is prima facie?
In the first instance it means that there is a strong presumption against ending life, but it leaves open the possibility that the presumption may be over-ruled in certain circumstance.
What is principle of the sanctity of life (SOL)?
This is the belief that life has an intrinsic value and that this is a value which commands respect. SOL is widely heald and helps to explain why we see the end of a life as a sad event even if it is sought by the person whose life ends. f
What is the absolutist view of SOL?
This is when a person believes that there are never any circumstances in which it is allowed/ok to take an act that will shorten or may shorten a person’s life.
Describe the absolutist view?
With this view, SOL is not a prima facie principle but an absolute moral requirement. It is believed that people will avoid actions that shorten life and that people act in ways that preserve and extend life wherever possible, in all cases.
What practices do the absolutist view believe are wrong?
- Abortion.
- Euthanasia.
- Withdrawal of ventilation etc.
They believe that it is morally wrong for a patient who is dependent on practices (e.g. ventilation) to be taken off these practices and for someone to withhold life-saving treatments, as it violates SOL.
What is the prima facie view of SOL?
This is when a person believes that SOL is less demanding than the absolutist view. Essentially it is the view in that we respect the value of life, even if we act in ways that might shorten it.
Describe the prima facie view?
With this view, respecting the SOL requires that decisions that may shorten life are taken seriously, and that other avenues are explored before a decision is taken that may shorten life.
How does SOL help in ethical reasoning?
- Helps doctors to understand and reflect upon their own ethical intuitions about decisions at the end of life.
- Helps doctors to justify the decisions when they conflict with those of patients, families or other colleagues.
- Helps doctors to find the points of agreement when there is conflict at the end of life, and to try to diffuse that conflict.
What is respect for autonomy and its relation to SOL?
This suggests that an individual who is autonomous should be able to make decisions with respect to their death for themselves.
Why does respect for autonomy carry such a great weight?
Many people believe that human lives are more sacred than other life forms. This is to do with the fact that humans have a higher degree of self ontrol
