Bioethics Chapters 10 + 11

active euthanasia

Performing an action that directly causes someone to die; “mercy killing”

passive euthanasia

Allowing someone to die by not doing something that would prolong life

voluntary euthanasia

Euthanasia performed when competent patients voluntarily request or agree to it

involuntary euthanasia

Bringing about someone’s death against her will or without asking for her consent although she is competent to decide

nonvoluntary euthanasia

Euthanasia performed when patients are not competent to choose it for themselves and have not previously disclosed their preferences

traditional view

Death is the cessation of breathing and heartbeat

whole brain view

An individual should be judged dead when all brain functions permanently stop

higher brain standard

individuals are dead when the higher brain functions responsible for consciousness permanently close down

autonomy and beneficence

arguments for active euthanasia

killing vs. letting die

arguments against active euthanasia

true

TF: withholding vs. withdrawing care often relates to end of life treatment

distributive justice

Justice regarding the fair distribution of society’s advantages and disadvantages

egalitarian justice

Doctrines affirming that important benefits and burdens of society should be distributed equally

libertarian justice

Doctrines holding that the benefits and burdens of society should be distributed through the fair workings of a free market and the exercise of liberty rights of noninterference

utilitarian justice

doctrines asserting that a just distribution of benefits and burdens is one that maximizes the net good for society

negative rights

imposes a duty not to interfere with a person’s obtaining something

positive rights

imposes a duty to help someone in her efforts to get something