4. Etymologically, Euthanasia means
Etymologically, Euthanasia means
"easy death" (from the Greek eu-
"easy death" (from the Greek eu-
"easy" and thanatos- "death"). It is
"easy" and thanatos- "death"). It is
popularly known as Mercy killing.
popularly known as Mercy killing.
It is the act or practice of ending a
It is the act or practice of ending a
life of a person either by a lethal
life of a person either by a lethal
injection or suspension of medical
injection or suspension of medical
treatment.
treatment.
What is euthanasia?
What is euthanasia?
5. Euthanasia may be classified in four ways:
Active and voluntary euthanasia
Active and voluntary euthanasia
is
is one in which either a physician, spouse, or a
one in which either a physician, spouse, or a
friend of the patient will terminate the latter's
friend of the patient will terminate the latter's
life upon the latter's request.
life upon the latter's request.
It is
It is voluntary
voluntary insofar as it is requested by the
insofar as it is requested by the
patient; it is
patient; it is active
active insofar as some positive
insofar as some positive
means is used to terminate the patient's life.
means is used to terminate the patient's life.
1
1.
.
6. is one in which a terminally ill patient is simply allowed to die by the
is one in which a terminally ill patient is simply allowed to die by the
physician, spouse, or an immediate relative, upon the patient's request.
physician, spouse, or an immediate relative, upon the patient's request.
It is
It is passive
passive insofar as no positive method is employed; the patient is
insofar as no positive method is employed; the patient is
merely permitted to pass away.
merely permitted to pass away.
It is
It is voluntary
voluntary insofar as this is done upon the patient's request.
insofar as this is done upon the patient's request.
2.
2. Passive and voluntary euthanasia
Passive and voluntary euthanasia
Euthanasia may be classified in four ways:
7. Euthanasia may be classified in four ways:
occurs when it is the physician, spouse, close friend, or relative who
occurs when it is the physician, spouse, close friend, or relative who
decides that the life of the terminally ill patient should be terminated.
decides that the life of the terminally ill patient should be terminated.
It is
It is active
active insofar as some positive method is utilized to terminate the
insofar as some positive method is utilized to terminate the
patient's life; it is
patient's life; it is nonvoluntary
nonvoluntary insofar as the termination of the patient's
insofar as the termination of the patient's
life is decided by an individual other than the patient.
life is decided by an individual other than the patient.
3.
3. Active and nonvoluntary euthanasia
Active and nonvoluntary euthanasia
8. is one in which a terminally ill patient is simply
is one in which a terminally ill patient is simply
allowed to die, as requested by immediate
allowed to die, as requested by immediate
family members, (spouse or parents) or the
family members, (spouse or parents) or the
attending physician.
attending physician.
It is
It is passive
passive in as much as no positive means is
in as much as no positive means is
employed to end the patient's life; it is
employed to end the patient's life; it is
nonvoluntary
nonvoluntary insofar as other persons make
insofar as other persons make
the moral decision to terminate the patient's
the moral decision to terminate the patient's
life.
life.
4.
4. Passive and nonvoluntary euthanasia
Passive and nonvoluntary euthanasia
Euthanasia may be classified in four ways:
Euthanasia may be classified in four ways:
9. The Problem of Human Dignity
"The moral issue of euthanasia revolves around the preservation of human
"The moral issue of euthanasia revolves around the preservation of human
dignity in death even to the individual's last breath."
dignity in death even to the individual's last breath."
10. This issue has a positive and negative side.
Positive side Negative side
Mercy killing
Preserve human dignity
1.
2.
Hastens the death of the
individual
Does not prolong agony
1.
2.
11. Different
Different
Views
Views
J. Gary Williams
J. Gary Williams
Wrong
Wrong
The argument from nature
The argument from nature
The argument from self-interest
The argument from self-interest
The argument from practical effects
The argument from practical effects
1
1.
.
2
2.
.
3
3.
.
James Rachels
James Rachels
Allows euthanasia to be humane since it does not prolong agony
Allows euthanasia to be humane since it does not prolong agony
Depends on motive and intentions
Depends on motive and intentions
Philippa Foot
Philippa Foot
Active and passive euthanasia
Active and passive euthanasia
But with patients consent
But with patients consent
Rachel Brandt
Rachel Brandt
Ross prima facie duty
Ross prima facie duty
Active and voluntary
Active and voluntary
If a patient has instructions beforehand then it is our
If a patient has instructions beforehand then it is our
obligation to fulfill his/her wish
obligation to fulfill his/her wish
12. Kant's ethics speaks of the
Kant's ethics speaks of the
human dignity of an autonomous
human dignity of an autonomous
rational being.
rational being.
Natural law ethics condemns mercy
Natural law ethics condemns mercy
killing. Euthanasia is intrinsically wrong
killing. Euthanasia is intrinsically wrong
because it implies the direct deliberate
because it implies the direct deliberate
killing of an individual hence it is murder.
killing of an individual hence it is murder.
1
2
Application of Ethical Theories
Application of Ethical Theories
13. The pragmatic theory of the good and truth seems to
The pragmatic theory of the good and truth seems to
justify euthanasia in general. It can argue that when an
justify euthanasia in general. It can argue that when an
individual has been in agony for a long time, the most
individual has been in agony for a long time, the most
pragmatic moral decision to make is to put such a
pragmatic moral decision to make is to put such a
useless life to an end.
useless life to an end.
Depending upon how one interprets the utilitarian
Depending upon how one interprets the utilitarian
principle of utility, it seems that its formulation
principle of utility, it seems that its formulation
about the greatest happiness and legitimate.
about the greatest happiness and legitimate.
3
Application of Ethical Theories
Application of Ethical Theories
4
14. 5
Application of Ethical Theories
Application of Ethical Theories
6
Ross's ethical principles, under certain conditions or
Ross's ethical principles, under certain conditions or
circumstances. It may become one's prima facie duty which
circumstances. It may become one's prima facie duty which
has the greatest balance of goodness over badness.
has the greatest balance of goodness over badness.
Rawls's concept of justice, argues that no amount of
Rawls's concept of justice, argues that no amount of
social good or welfare can override the inviolability of
social good or welfare can override the inviolability of
the individual.
the individual.
15. Moral Problems and Questions
A physicist who had done research on x-rays for thirty years was suffering
A physicist who had done research on x-rays for thirty years was suffering
terribly from skin cancer. Part of his jaw, his upper lip, nose, and left hand
terribly from skin cancer. Part of his jaw, his upper lip, nose, and left hand
were lost; growths had been removed from his right arms and two fingers
were lost; growths had been removed from his right arms and two fingers
from his right hand. He was blind and in constant and excruciating pain.
from his right hand. He was blind and in constant and excruciating pain.
Only surgery and continued suffering awaited the patient, who the doctors
Only surgery and continued suffering awaited the patient, who the doctors
felt had about a year to live. For months, he pleaded with his three younger
felt had about a year to live. For months, he pleaded with his three younger
brothers to put an end to his life. Eventually, the youngest, a man of thirty-
brothers to put an end to his life. Eventually, the youngest, a man of thirty-
six, took a pistol and, and after an afternoon and early evening wandering
six, took a pistol and, and after an afternoon and early evening wandering
and drinking in local bars, returned to the hospital during visiting hours and
and drinking in local bars, returned to the hospital during visiting hours and
shot his brother to death.
shot his brother to death.
?
?
16. Moral Problems and Questions
What specific type of euthanasia was performed in this case? Explain
What specific type of euthanasia was performed in this case? Explain
your answer. If you were the youngest brother or sister, would you
your answer. If you were the youngest brother or sister, would you
have done the same thing? Would you approve of the means
have done the same thing? Would you approve of the means
employed, or would you have preferred a more subtle, non-violent,
employed, or would you have preferred a more subtle, non-violent,
and painless method? Justify your answer.
and painless method? Justify your answer.
?
?
