Moral Issue of Euthanasia

Mevelle L Asuncion

CENTRAL MINDANAO UNIVERSITYCOLLEGE OF NURSING

EUTHANASIAGk word “ eu”- easy“thanatos” – deathPainless deathMercy killing

Classification

1. self-administeredActive/positive euthanasiaPassive/negative euthanasia2. Other administeredActive and voluntaryPassive and voluntaryActive and nonvoluntaryPassive and nonvoluntary

Active euthanasiaAct of commissionPeron end his own life

Passive euthanasiaAllowed to die without taking

medications or refuse medical treatment

Act of omission

Positive sideMercy killingPreserve human dignity

Negative sideHastens the death of the

individualDoes not prolong agony

Different viewsGarry Williams

◦Wrong1. Argument from nature2. Argument from self-interest3. Argument from practical effects

James Rachel◦ Allows euthanasia to be humane,

since it does not prolong agony◦ Depends on motive and intentions

Different viewsFillipa 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

Natural law ethicsCondemns mercy killingExcept for principle of double

effectEx:

◦Giving of pain reliever with good intention but with indirect effect of shortening lifespan

Kant’s ethicsPreserve human dignityAutonomous rational beingOk with active voluntary

euthanasiaOk with active nonvoluntary if

the patient is comatoseComatose

◦No self-regulating will

UtilitarianismGreatest good for the greatest

number of peopleIf a patient is dying, it is better to

donate organs