Preview

Euthanasia

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1442 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Euthanasia
ABSTRACT The explanations offered in Moral Philosophy, for one of the dilemmas of life and death, which is the euthanasia or mercy killing. This paper attests euthanasia as extremely sensitive matter in public issue as life being a sacred value in this world. Religious argument will be running on this bundle of knowledge – Euthanasia is against the word and will of God. The paper argued the morality and immorality of the subject, leaving euthanasia as a hard moral judgment. This paper enlightens us to various religious perspectives. Like the Christians, majority of them are against euthanasia. The settings will be based on the point of view that life is given by God. God has made man therefore man is sacred. Because of this, the statement no one can claim other’s life has been emphasized. They don’t have the rights to do so even though the patient wants death. It lay out that Euthanasia is a negative subject as John Paul II stated that euthanasia is a grave violation of the law of God referring to one of the ten commandments of God, “Thou shall not kill”. Some of the insight for this paper came from the articles by James Rachels, The Elements of Moral Philosophy, Sixth Edition (2010). The first part of the article elaborates the Moral Philosophy itself giving some examples like Baby Theresa, Jodie and Mary and Tracy Latimer. These examples bring out the feeling of moral seriousness to everyone and argue a lot of argument morally. In a 1993 opinion poll carried out for the VES by NOP, most religious people who were surveyed were in favor of medical aid in dying. Whilst, 93% of people without religious belief supported this, 83% of Protestants, 73% of Roman Catholics and 60 % of Jews were also in favor, Roman Catholic stay as firm and strongest opponent.
INTRODUCTION
Life is the most mysterious thing in this word, a one of a kind. The verity that we can think, breathe the air, can feel emotions are parts of this mystery. But this mystery enables us to live



References: 1. James Rachels. The Elements of Moral Philosophy, Sixth Edition, 2010. 2. Daniel Bonevac. Today’s Moral Issue, Classic and Contemporary Perspectives, Fourth Edition. 3. http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/euthanasia/against/against_1.shtml 4. http://www.mountainretreatorg.net/articles/Euthanasia.shtml 5. http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/christianethics/euthanasia_1.shtml 6. http://www.religiouseducation.co.uk/school/alevel/ethics/euthanasia/DpFS_Rel.html 7. http://www.religionfacts.com/euthanasia/christianity.htm

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    Physician assisted suicide is a highly controversial issue that has many ethical concerns. There are many moral issues that should be considered when discussing physician-assisted suicide. Many people relate religion as a part of why physician assisted suicide is wrong and others state it violates the Hippocratic Oath. In this paper, we will discuss the moral dilemma of physician-assisted suicide. We will also examine the arguments against and in favor of physician assisted suicide and which view is closer to my own.…

    • 1087 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Dax Cowart

    • 4530 Words
    • 17 Pages

    Euthanasia is a Greek word which means a “good death”. In this article, the authors discuss various concepts, such as…

    • 4530 Words
    • 17 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Certainly, most would want their lives, by reasonable means, sustained until the end of their lives inevitably approached. Thereupon, most would wish for a “good” or “peaceful” or “happy” death. Such desires are not controversial, but what constitutes both “reasonable” means and a “good” death is, especially in situations involving the purveyance of the latter by the former. Viewed through the lens of a religious tradition, these controversies can become even more problematic. However, when facing these dilemmas, religious disciplines display both diligence and caution in their ethical reasoning, while working to discern and define all morally problematic aspects, to identify the principles and values with which those aspects conflict, and to provide a resolution which enacts those values. In this essay, I will define euthanasia, a particular practice involved in end of life situations; outline how it opposes the principles and values of two…

    • 2672 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Euthanasia is one of the most talked about issues related to biomedical ethics today. This paper will discuss the ethical findings on the topic of euthanasia from a philosophical point of view. The paper examines the moral views of philosophers and then will end with an argument as to why euthanasia should be allowed in United States.…

    • 3241 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    EUTHANASIA

    • 370 Words
    • 1 Page

    The overall purpose of the Euthanasia act it to allow those who are terminally ill to have to right to die on their own terms. Euthanasia is a drug that those who wish to die on their own terms are given in the formal of a pill. After receiving the pill, the patient then shallows the pill, ending their own life on their own terms. This concept of Euthanasia as caused a lot of controversy over the past couple of years. Specifically within the year of 2014, the act of Euthanasia has caught the attention of many, especially who of high position within our government. While this act of assisted suicide is illegal in many of our states today, some states such as Washington, Oregon, Montana, Vermont and New Mexico carry out his law off dying on your own terms. Many well known case of these issues of dying on your own terms such as Washington v. Glucksberg (1997), Gonzales v. Oregon (2006) Baxter v. Montana (2009). " Reflecting the religious and cultural diversity of the United States, there is a wide range of public opinion about euthanasia and the right-to-die movement in the United States. During the past 30 years, public research shows that views on euthanasia tend to correlate with religious affiliation and culture, though not gender." (CNN.COM) "The legislation of assisted suicide has moved a significant step closer after the Government made clear that it would not stand in the way of a change in the law.Conservative and Liberal Democrat MPs and peers – including Coalition ministers – will be given a free vote on a Bill that would enable doctors to help terminally ill patients to die, The Telegraph can disclose.The proposed legislation will come before Parliament in the next few months. On Saturday night, Norman Lamb, a Liberal Democrat and the minister responsible for care for elderly and disabled people, was among the first to say he would vote in favor. Several other ministers and senior MPs and peers have previously signaled support for the move. Mr.…

    • 370 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Euthanasia

    • 985 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Euthanasia should be legalized to allow terminally ill patients the opportunity to prepare for their deaths, avoid unnecessary pain and die with dignity. Euthanasia is “the act or practice of ending the life of an individual suffering from a terminal illness or an incurable condition, as by lethal injection or the suspension of extraordinary medical treatment.” (Am. Heritage) The literal meaning of the word euthanasia, "‘an easy or happy death,’ from the Greek word eu- ‘good’, and thanatos ‘death’"(Harper), is proof in itself that the whole idea is to help people and not to belittle the value of life. The fact that suffering animals can be put out of their misery, but suffering people are forced to stay alive and endure the pain, is inhumane. Legalizing euthanasia would be no more than an act of mercy allowing medical personnel to bring slow, painful deaths to a halt.…

    • 985 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    An Act of God - Summary

    • 1457 Words
    • 6 Pages

    We will discuss the: Religious arguments. According to other religions who are against this act because: Euthanasia is against the word and will of God , Euthanasia weakens society's respect for the sanctity of life , Suffering may have value , Voluntary euthanasia is the start of a slippery slope that leads to involuntary euthanasia…

    • 1457 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Although there are several debates against this view point, it is not up to anyone else to make decisions of the ill and infirm. As such it should be recognized that “patients have a right to make their own decisions to preserve free choice and human dignity: this right includes the right to choose assisted suicide” (Ersek 48). Further more having access to physician assisted suicide allows the patient to maintain control over their situation and to end life in an ethical and merciful manner. Even though the benefits of physician assisted suicide for the terminally ill patients are greatly significant, there is still great debate over it. These include the responsibility of the medical community and those of the religious community. It is necessary to look at both sides of the view to understand this, but more importantly take in to fact of the rights of the individual in pain due to terminal illness.…

    • 1959 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The ethical dilemma of euthanasia introduces many emotions among the world populous. Communities are torn by the topic since health care professionals often facilitate the practice. Furthermore, a common perception about health care practitioners is they assist life. Yet, the concept of physicians utilizing any type of euthanasia (voluntary, involuntary, non-voluntary, active, or passive) to assist death is inconceivable among the masses. Nonetheless, the topic of mercy killing will be viewed from a consequentialist, deontologist, and virtue ethicist perspective to better understand the moral dilemmas that ensue although the ethical dilemma introduces heavy emotions around the…

    • 97 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    The mere act of euthanasia represents the most gentle and painless way of terminating a person's life in order to relieve them from their suffering. This term itself is derived from the Greek word “euthanatos”, which literally means easy death. In many cases, it is carried out at the person's request, but there are times when they may be too ill and the decision has to be made by relatives, medics or, in some instances, the courts. Deciding whether to euthanise a person or not is one of the most difficult questions concerning not only practical, but also religious and ethical matters. However, people should choose euthanasia because it can help the patient by relieving his/her pain and suffering, it can reduce economic costs and provide human resources for other people suffering from curable diseases, and it helps the sick person’s family to overcome the loss without much pain.…

    • 651 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Even though 18 of 20 survey participants are religious, only two disagreed on the legalisation with one remarking “God gave us life, God should be the one to take it away from us” A predominant argument against euthanasia is society’s view on the sanctity of life, and this can have be seen from both a nonspiritual and/or religious viewpoint. The primary belief is that humankind must be respected and preserved. The Christian view perceives life itself as a gift obtainable only from God, who must abstain from ending that life at any cost. In the same way, the Islamic faith states that “it is the sole prerogative of God to bestow life and to cause death.” Some who oppose euthanasia believe that the sanctity of life should be of the highest priority and in terms of the extremely ‘ethical’ legislation, politicians have to undertake the religious minorities, the right to life and other active lobby…

    • 1188 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Euthanasia

    • 1841 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Euthanasia, or doctor assisted suicide, has been subject of controversy in North America for a number of decades. Prior to the argument of whether or not euthanasia should be legalized for the terminally ill, it is important to differentiate between the two types of doctor assisted suicide. Passive euthanasia is withholding treatment necessary for ones health and allowing nature to take its course. Active euthanasia, the most controversial of the two, is the use of forces, such as lethal injections that will directly result in death. With that being said, doctor assisted suicide should be legalized for the terminally ill. It is within a persons own choice whether they wish to live or die, if they decide there is no longer a quality of life, they should be allowed the choice. If consent is given from the patient as well as next of kin, there should not be an issue with fulfilling ones dying wish. Finally, when one is terminally ill, it is inevitable that the disease will deteriorate at the physical health, and eventually they will die. If one decides they do not wish to suffer, and wish to die with dignity, that should be an option. Euthanasia is controversial for a number of reasons, however, if boundaries and restrictions are negotiated, it is possible to better accommodate the wishes of patients who are suffering an inevitable death.…

    • 1841 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Ethics Euthanasia

    • 2006 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The issue of euthanasia is becoming increasingly apparent, in the UK and the rest of the developed world. It is derived from two Greek words, `Eu` - meaning `good`, and `Thanatos` - meaning `death`; and the definition of euthanasia is the intentional assistance of ending another person’s life prematurely. There are different kinds of this medical procedure, such as `active` and `passive`, and both need to be looked at in different contexts, which is why the issue of euthanasia cannot be worked out simply. Many individuals and groups of people, some famous, have spoken up in relation to this issue, and many of those who have spoken up against this have been from a religious perspective. How a follower of religious ethics would respond to euthanasia, however, will depend on the ethics they follow.…

    • 2006 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Euthanasia

    • 779 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Euthanasia could be known as assisted suicide, physician-assisted suicide , doctor-assisted suicide , and more used term, mercy killing, which basically means to take a deliberate action with the express intention of ending a life to relieve intractable (persistent, unstoppable) suffering and pain..…

    • 779 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Euthanasia

    • 1193 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Good day to the teacher and my fellow learners, my speech topic for today is on legalising euthanasia.…

    • 1193 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays