euthanasia

is euthanasia legal in the UK?

- no, but it is in Holland and Switzerland
- suicide decriminalised but active euthanasia is

what is the sanctity of life?

- key aspect of religious ethics
- life is special and valuable because it is god-given
- despite the fact that himans are damaged by sin the are still created in the 'image of god' with intrinsic value
- 'god created humankind in his own image'

what is the quality of life argument?

- secular view that life is valuable if it is worth living
- either through autonomy or possessions of goods such as happiness
-

what are Peter singers 5 commandments for quality of life?

- recognise that worth varies
- take responsibility for consequences
- respect a person desire to live or die
- only bring children into the world if they are wanted
- do not discriminate on the basis of species

what is autonomy?

- linked t quality of life and direct opposition to the sanctity of life
- humans should be free to make decisions about their own future
- can be traced back to JS Mills non harm utilitarianism principle
- whilst the government may restrict freedom if we are to harm someone else, they have no right to restrict our freedom in regard to ourselves

how does autonomy relate to euthanasia?

- governments should have no right to restrict our right to die
- very simple to apply to voluntary euthanasia
- should be external judgement as to the patients quality of life and mental state.
- more complicated with non-voluntary, ( case study - Tony Bland - Persistent Vegetative State) - easy if prior consent
- may lead to slippery slope

what is the hypocratic oath?

- wrong for a doctor to do something to cause the death of a patient
- he suggests that treating those with serious diseases is powerless
- proves background for the discussion of acts and ommisions.
- ACTS: causing death, legally and morally wrong
- OMISSIONS: stopping treatment of prolonging inevitable death, may not be morally wrong

what does Glover believe about euthanasia?

- the difference between acts and omissions aren't very clear
- proposes at least 5 options in regard to euthanasia:
- do all possible to preserve life
- take all ordinary steps to preserve life without extraordinary means
- not killing but not taking steps to preserve life
- the deliberate act of killing
- not intending to kill but it being a foreseen consequence

how can natural law be applied to euthanasia?

- a doctor attempts to treat a terminally ill patient by giving a dose of pain killer with the intention of relieving pain.
- ultimately, it was the cause of death, it was unintended though foreseen
- intention is good, even if consequence not
- according to natural law, that is ok and not euthanasia
- due to the doctrine of double effect
- divine law - 'God gives and God takes away'

how can situation ethics be applied to euthanasia?

- a terminally ill man is offered expensive medical treatment that will prolong his life for a few months, until his medical insurance runs out. If he refuses medication and dies before the insurance runs out his family will receive the insurance money.
- situational ethics is teleological
- what makes an action right is that it leads to a good argument
- pragmatism.
- quality of life > sanctity of life