Euthanasia

• What are some factors to consider for voluntary euthanasia?

  Terminal illness, burden on others, seriousness of injury
• What is non-voluntary euthanasia?

  patient is incapable of ending their life, so the decision/action is made for them
• Explain voluntary euthanasia

  When someone requests to be killed painlessly
• Name reasons why people use non-voluntary euthanasia

  Comatose, severely disabled, infant
• Give a case study supporting voluntary euthanasia

  Dianne Pretty - ‘locked in syndrome’ = case was denied by EU court
• Explain persistent vegetative state (PVS)

  When a person’s body is still maintaining minimal functions, eg - minimal brain activity
• How do people compare PVS to non-voluntary euthanasia?

  Non-voluntary euthanasia = better option
• Name a case study supporting non-voluntary euthanasia

  Tony Bland - in PVS for 4 years, was mistreated by the hospital and life support removed after legal battle
• Name a case study going against non-voluntary euthanasia

  Mary Ormerod - 85 yr old who was starved to death by doctors in nursing home as she was too

  ‘stressful’
• Explain the Kantian view on euthanasia and why - non religious view

  Its wrong

  • goes against duty of preserving life

  • killing can’t be universalised

  • treats people as a means to an end
• Explain the utilitarian view on euthanasia and why - non religious view

  Acceptable

  • no quality of life = no happiness (pleasure) = life not worth living
• Explain the situation ethics view on euthanasia and why - religious view

  Acceptable

  • sometimes the most loving thing for patient

  • Pragmatism - each case must be decided uniquely
• Explain natural laws view on euthanasia and why - religious

  view

  unacceptable

  • killing = always wrong as it goes against Gods eternal law

  • Goes against the duty to protect innocent life
• What is Sanctity of life?

  Belief life is a gift from God and must be protected at all times
• What is the quote associated with sanctity of life?

  ‘breathed into his nostrils the breath of life’ - Genesis
• What does the Pope say about euthanasia (+ao2)

  accepting it in modern society undermines sanctity of life = ‘culture of death’
• Give a negative criticism regarding Sanctity of life (-ao2)

  Relies on Gods existence so if he doesn’t exist argument is invalid
• Give a negative criticism regarding Sanctity of life (-ao2)

  argument enforces Christian morals onto people
• Explain definition of quality of life

  View that human life only has value when the person living does things that brings them happiness
• What does Singer argue about Sanctity of life principle

  It should be abandoned and should favour quality of life instead
• How should we base our decisions about life and death according to Singer?

  • Use Material Situation - state in which the person is living their life

  • Not base it on an ‘ultimate being‘
• Give criticisms for quality of life argument (-ao2)

  • Subjective - hard to create a universal definition

  • Slippery slope - forced euthanasia
• Who supports the quality of life argument? (+ao2)

  Utilitarianism - Mill and Bentham
• What’s a positive to the quality of life argument? (+ao2)

  More accepted/applicable in modern society