wrong because goes against
sanctity of life as all life is sacred
and gift from God, only he can
choose when to end it
innocent life-
helping with euth
you're helping
end their life.
patient would be able to
stop taking life
prolonging drugs, should
be treated with
compassion, respect and
dignity
allows doctrine of double
effect; doctor gives overdose
with aim of relieving pain
resulting in death as aim was
not to kill
The Church
Pope John Paul II said life is
an "extraordinary gift from
God" and euth is a
"violation of that gift"
(sanctity of life)
Situation Ethics
"there is more to being
human than just being
alive" therefore in
certain circumstances,
following agape,
person who's
terminally ill ought to
be able to make
informed decision to
die
Utilitarianism
could be seen as
ultimate act for
utilitarian
you're ending pain and
making them happy by
agreeing to wishes
situation is very different if
apply GHP- if patient wants
to die but family do not,
they can't be euthanised,
but if family want them to
be euthanised but patient
doesn't, they will have to
be anyway
both situations,
rights of patient are
suppressed by
majority, as
utilitarianism
doesn't value human
life/rights
Categorical Imperative
(Kantian Ethics)
Universalisability
can't universalise
because you can't
universalise killing
means to an end
asking doctor/family to help is
using them as means to end your
life. could be said suicide is using
yourself as means to an end
Kant on suicide
illogical as we all posses
'self-love' which helps us to
survive, it seeks what's in our
best interest therefore illogical
for self-love to seek death
however self-love may seek death when
we're in pain as it's in out best interest