This document discusses the moral issue of euthanasia. It defines euthanasia as an easy and painless death and classifies it as either self-administered or other-administered, and as either active/passive and voluntary/nonvoluntary. It outlines different views on whether euthanasia is right or wrong from philosophers like Garry Williams, James Rachel, Fillipa Foot, and Rachel Brandt. It also discusses perspectives from natural law ethics, Kant's ethics, and utilitarianism on when euthanasia may or may not be acceptable.

1. Moral Issue of Euthanasia
Mevelle L Asuncion
CENTRAL MINDANAO UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF NURSING

2. EUTHANASIA
 Gk word “ eu”- easy
 “thanatos” – death
 Painless death
 Mercy killing

3. Classification
1. self-administered
 Active/positive euthanasia
 Passive/negative euthanasia
2. Other administered
 Active and voluntary
 Passive and voluntary
 Active and nonvoluntary
 Passive and nonvoluntary

4. Active euthanasia
 Act of commission
 Peron end his own life

5. Passive euthanasia
 Allowed to die without taking
medications or refuse medical
treatment
 Act of omission

6. Positive side
 Mercy killing
 Preserve human dignity
Negative side
 Hastens the death of the individual
 Does not prolong agony

7. Different views
 Garry Williams
◦ Wrong
1. Argument from nature
2. Argument from self-interest
3. Argument from practical effects
 James Rachel
◦ Allows euthanasia to be humane, since
it does not prolong agony
◦ Depends on motive and intentions

8. Different views
 Fillipa Foot
◦ Active and passive euthanasia
◦ But with patients consent
 Rachel Brandt
◦ Ross prima facie duty
◦ Active and voluntary
◦ If patient has instructions beforehand then
it is our obligatio to fulfill his/her wish

9. Natural law ethics
 Condemns mercy killing
 Except for principle of double effect
 Ex:
◦ Giving of pain reliever with good intention
but with indirect effect of shortening
lifespan

10. Kant’s ethics
 Preserve human dignity
 Autonomous rational being
 Ok with active voluntary euthanasia
 Ok with active nonvoluntary if the
patient is comatose
 Comatose
◦ No self-regulating will

11. Utilitarianism
 Greatest good for the greatest number
of people
 If a patient is dying, it is better to
donate organs