Preview

Assisted Suicides: Moral Or Immoral?

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
499 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Assisted Suicides: Moral Or Immoral?
Assisted Suicides: Moral or Immoral? Is assisting a loved one to die morally acceptable or is it murder? This essay will look at both sides of this argument and leave the reader to decide which side they more agree with. The main article I will be looking at is the one by Susan M. Wolf and the death of her sick father. There are two sides to this situation. One group of people feel that it is morally and lawfully wrong to help in the death of any person, regardless of who they are and believe the culprit to be just as guilty as a murderer. Others will argue that it is only helping to speed up a process that is inevitably coming and helping a person to quit the pain is human nature showing sympathy and courage. In this essay, I will be looking at both sides of this argument and leave it to the reader to decide which argument he believes to be more reasonable. …show more content…
The definition of the word “suicide” is the act of deliberately killing yourself. To help a loved one during a hard time comes natural to a lot of people and granting a wish is the big argument for those people that see know wrong in assisting a dying person. Their argument is that terminally ill people, especially those who are in lots of pain often times would rather have help with dying sooner than to wait naturally and draw out a long and very hard time. There are also instances where the sick person was not necessarily a loved one but a patient, such as the case of Dr. Jack
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    The Pros And Cons Of Physician Assisted Suicide
    • 2132 Words
    • 9 Pages

    The Pros And Cons Of Physician Assisted Suicide

    Euthanasia is the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable disease which is cutting a person’s life too short. The concept of physician assisted suicide always provokes a moral predicament for many people all over the world, mostly because it gives someone the freedom to choose whether to live or die. Euthanasia has been debated for many years, on one hand people believe euthanasia is a negative action because suicide is not a way out, but on the other hand people also believe assisted suicide is the only option for a patient who suffers from great pain that will only get worse. Euthanasia or physician assisted suicide should be legalized and people shouldn’t worry about whether or not if they feel it’s immoral or not.…

    • 2132 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Pros And Cons Of Legalizing Assisted Suicide
    • 124 Words
    • 1 Page

    Pros And Cons Of Legalizing Assisted Suicide

    Many issues mention if assisting someone to kill themselves is illegal or not? Euthanization which is to end a person's life due to them suffering. The act of assisting suicide is assisting or encountering the other person to kill themselves. There are several classifications of euthanization; active and passive. “Three states have passed laws legalizing assisted suicide in certain limited circumstances. Under Oregon's Death with Dignity Act, physicians can prescribe lethal medication that will allow terminally ill individuals to end their lives. ” Oregon and two other states are the only one in the United States that don’t consider assisting suicide a crime. Since only 3 states have allowed it and the majority of the nation defines it as illegal…

    • 124 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Pros And Cons Of Assisted Suicide
    • 161 Words
    • 1 Page

    Pros And Cons Of Assisted Suicide

    Every person knows what the circle of life consists of- to be born, to grow and to die. The lines between the right and wrongs of each are fuzzy and unclear. Assisted suicide brings up one of the biggest moral debates and there are so many questions with no clear answers: who should and shouldn’t be allowed to assist in suicides? Should assisted suicide be just for the terminally ill, or for all? What protection will there be for the people? and the biggest question of all- is it right or wrong? Those who are considered “pro-death”, believe that being able to choose how one dies is their own right. That there is a significant “difference between killing a patient and allowing a patient to die” (Breslow). Others however, believe The Suicide…

    • 161 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Ethical Decision in Assisted Suicide
    • 666 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Ethical Decision in Assisted Suicide

    The issue concerning assisted suicide is an extensively debated ethical affair. The debate stems from different viewpoints first concerning when the act is considered appropriate and then what the resulting consequences would look like if the act were permissible (Lo, 2005). Ethical decisions in assisted suicide are debated along the lines concerned with the worthy nature of life and on what is entailed in a life that is worth living and consequently, who ultimately decides this. Many religions, however, hold that life is Gods’ gift, which should not be interfered with let alone be destroyed (Lo, 2005).…

    • 666 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Is Physician Assisted Suicide Ethical?
    • 2634 Words
    • 11 Pages

    Is Physician Assisted Suicide Ethical?

    Physician assisted suicide, is this an ethical procedure? Many feel strongly on both sides of this issue. Some states such as Washington and Oregon have made Physician assisted suicide legal. Other states such as Michigan and Massachusetts have put the issue to a vote and the voters have turned down the option. What exactly is physician assisted suicide? According to Dictionary.com, the definition is a situation in which a physician provides the means of death for a gravely ill patient .Dehal and Levy explain, “The Death With Dignity Act (DWDA) allows mentally competent, terminally ill patients who are over 18 years of age and residents of the state of Oregon to obtain a prescription for a lethal dosage of medication to end their own life in case their suffering becomes unbearable. Patients eligible for the act must make one written and two oral requests over a period of 15 days. The prescribing physician and a consulting physician have to confirm the diagnosis and the prognosis. If either doctor believes the patient's mental competence is impaired, he must be referred for a psychiatric or psychological evaluation. The prescribing physician is required to inform the patient of potential alternatives to PAS, such as comfort care, hospice care, and pain control.” The positives of Physician assisted suicide is that people who are at the end of their lives can forgo the incredible pain that can happen with many diseases. Health care cost can be reduced. Doctors and Nurses would have more time to save those who are going to live or those who wish to try to survive. Family and friends have a chance to say their good byes. Organs can be saved to help others. Patients feel they have a choice, and may not be forced to try other ways to diminish their pain. The negatives include that many feel physician assisted…

    • 2634 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Ethical Perspective on Assisted Suicide
    • 2640 Words
    • 11 Pages

    Ethical Perspective on Assisted Suicide

    Moral and ethical debates attempted to resolves controversial issues but never seem to end with everyone agreeing. Often these ethical and moral debates are complex and involve opinions persuaded by religion or customs and have legal implications to consider. Physician assisted death is one of these very complex and controversial issues that all people will never agree on. Many questions arise in the debate of physician assisted death such as patients’ rights, physicians controlling the right if someone lives or dies, a patience’s mental state, a family member’s rights, religious beliefs of the parties involved and the law. Philosophers attempt to explain the different theories that people will use to argue their belief systems in terms of logic and reasoning. For example, some people may take the position of a deontologist who would argue that it is our moral duty to support and sustain life therefore assisted suicide should not be allowed. Unfortunately, this very emotional thought provoking debate is not a “black and white issue,” as most ethical arguments are not. In the situation of physician assisted death I disagree with the deontologist point of view that it is immoral for a physician to assist a patient in suicide. I believe as some relativist due, that as long as the patient is fully capable of making this decision and the patient is in a constant state of agony, then the patient has the right to make the choice to live or die. A relativist believes that morals are only relative to that particular society and if physician assisted death was considered moral in that group then it would be considered a moral act. Neither theory is without flaws as some deontologist even share my point of view and some relativist can be very extreme in what they feel is relative to being morally right or wrong. The bottom line is that people will probably never completely agree on this subject.…

    • 2640 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Physician Assisted Suicide: the Moral Debate
    • 848 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Physician Assisted Suicide: the Moral Debate

    References: Stevens, Jr. M.D.FACR, Kenneth R., Emotional and Psychological Effects of Physician-Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia on Participating Physicians, Volume 21 Issues in Law & Med. 187 (2006).…

    • 848 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Physician-Assisted Suicide - an Utilitarian Perspective
    • 1475 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Physician-Assisted Suicide - an Utilitarian Perspective

    Physician-assisted suicide is “the voluntary termination of one's own life by administration of a lethal substance with the direct or indirect assistance of a physician. Physician-assisted suicide is the practice of providing a competent patient with a prescription for medication for the patient to use with the primary intention of ending his or her own life” (MedicineNet.com, 2004). Many times this ethical issue arises when a terminally-ill patient with and incurable illness, whom is given little time to live, usually less than six-months, has requested a physician’s assistance in terminating one’s life. This practice with the terminally ill is known as euthanasia. Physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia is a controversial topic that brings up many ethical issues and the rights of the patients the physicians serve. Many questions arise when this topic is discussed. For example, does an individual have the right to end their life, if prolonging it will only cause more pain and suffering? Should families, who do not want to lose a loved one, be allowed to prolong the pain in the life of a terminally ill family member so they do not experience loss? Is this more or less ethical than letting the person die? This paper will examine why terminally-ill patients should be allowed to make decisions regarding their care and their life. This paper will examine a utilitarian perspective on physician-aided suicide, which provides a solid argument for allowing physician-assisted suicides in certain circumstances.…

    • 1475 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    A Stand Against Assisted Suicide - Essay
    • 2378 Words
    • 10 Pages

    A Stand Against Assisted Suicide - Essay

    Assisted suicide is a highly controversial topic. Assisted suicide is when, upon request, a doctor prescribes a lethal dose of medication to a terminally ill patient so that the patient can kill him or herself. In other words, a doctor provides the means for a patient to commit suicide. A form of assisted suicide is euthanasia. Euthanasia is when the doctor intentionally kills the patient with the intentions of ending the patient’s suffering; mercy killing. Although there have been many Supreme Court rulings on assisted suicide and the practice of euthanasia, it is legal in some states like Oregon and Washington. The practice of assisted suicide is done under the term “terminally ill.” There is no concrete interpretation of the phrase. Therefore, the phrase terminally ill can be interrupted according to which ever definition works best for us. Assisted suicide also causes mistrust between patients and doctors, unnecessary deaths, and involuntary suicide. Assisted suicide has a profound affect on family relationships, doctor-patient relationships, and ethical standards because of the mistrust it creates and the controversy over the issue. Assisted suicide and the use of euthanasia should be outlawed everywhere in the United States, not just in some states. Because euthanasia is a form of assisted suicide, I will, for the purpose of this paper, address the terms “assisted suicide” and “euthanasia” as one practice.…

    • 2378 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Assisted Suicide
    • 2527 Words
    • 11 Pages

    Assisted Suicide

    Today there are millions of people who are living with a terminal illness. Many of these people are basically waiting to die. Modern medicine can either do nothing more to help them or they have enacted their right to refuse treatments. Whichever the case may be the question arises: should we have the right to choose to die? This paper will be examining euthanasia and assisted suicide. It will begin by first defining what euthanasia; it will also be looking into the different types of euthanasia; there is passive and active. Next I will share my own personal feeling on the issue of euthanasia. I do believe in certain circumstances that euthanasia should be allowed; after all the law does support a human beings right to determine what will be done their own body. Each person is going to have their own view of the issue; my opinion on it is not going to be the same as someone else’s. Then this paper will define and describe the special populations that are presented on the Pro/Con website as well as how this population might be adversely affected by euthanasia. I will discuss my own beliefs regarding euthanasia and these special populations. And finally this paper will look at the laws concerning physician assisted suicide in Texas. It will compare and contrast theses laws against Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act.…

    • 2527 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Health Care Policy, Law, and Ethics Assignment5 Assisted Suicide
    • 1570 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Health Care Policy, Law, and Ethics Assignment5 Assisted Suicide

    References: Showalter, J. S. (2008). The law of healthcare administration (5th ed.). Chicago: Health Administration Press.…

    • 1570 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Is Physician Assisted Suicide Moral and Ethical?
    • 1500 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Is Physician Assisted Suicide Moral and Ethical?

    It has always been said by physicians to do no harm to a patient. Also patients have certain rights of treatment and care. Patients have a right to refuse treatment at anytime during the duration of their stay at any hospital. Also patients have a say in what treatment they should have. As long as you are able to make sound decisions, you have the right to refuse any test or treatment, even if it means you might have a bad health outcome as a result (American Cancer Society (2011), Patient Bill of Rights). This bears to question is this ethical and moral to the doctor and patient? There are five potential ‘last resort’ interventions are available under these circumstances are accelerating opioids for pain; stopping potentially life-prolonging therapies; voluntarily stopping eating and drinking; palliative sedation (potentially to unconsciousness); and physician-assisted death (Quill (2012), Physician Should “Assist in Suicide” When It Is Important). I believe exploring these common practices in ‘last resort’ intervention in care will help us see if it is moral or ethical.…

    • 1500 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Assisted Suicide, Morally Wrong or Your Right?
    • 2840 Words
    • 12 Pages

    Assisted Suicide, Morally Wrong or Your Right?

    Is assisted suicide your right as a human; is it moral or ethical? First we must look at what is assisted suicide. Assisted suicide is a common term that most people know of, suicide that is facilitated by another person. (Dictionary.com) However, there are three terms that are sometimes used interchangeable when discussing assisted suicide; physician assisted suicide, assisted suicide and euthanasia. Physician assisted suicide is when a physician intentionally gives the patient the method of suicide, such as pills. Assisted suicide involves a layperson or a non-physician who is equipping the patient with the means to kill themselves. Euthanasia is when the person is directly killed by a physician or a layperson; euthanasia can be voluntary, involuntary or non-voluntary. Voluntary euthanasia is at the patients request, involuntary is against the patients request or consent and non-voluntary is without the patient’s knowledge. (Nightinggale.com) In this paper we will explore the morality and ethics of assisted suicide by comparing and investigating the Utilitarian , Kantian and Egoism ethical perspective of assisted suicide or euthanasia.…

    • 2840 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Physician-Assisted Suicide: Is It Morally Permissible?
    • 1780 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Physician-Assisted Suicide: Is It Morally Permissible?

    My essay topic is whether or not physician assisted suicide is morally permissible. I intend to argue that it is permissible because a competent patient ultimately has the right to choose for themselves the course of their life, including how it will end. To lie in a hospital bed in a vegetative state, unable to see, think, speak, eat, being totally unaware of your surroundings or those of your loved ones nearby speaks loudly of the pain and suffering at all levels for a terminally ill patient. Physician assisted suicide (PAS) is ethically justifiable in certain cases, most often those cases involving unrelenting suffering. While PAS is not legal in the United States, the Supreme Court has upheld individual states right to decide on the legality of it. The debate for PAS has been going for many centuries and the most common reason for the request of PAS were wanting to die in a dignified way, being in pain, being dependable on others for personal care, being tired of life and fearing future loss of control. PAS may be a rational choice for a person who is choosing to die to escape unbearable suffering and the physicians’ duty to alleviate suffering may, at times, justify the act of providing assistance with suicide. However, others have argued that PAS is unethical and runs directly counter to the traditional duty of the physician to preserve life. Furthermore, many argue if PAS were legal, abuses would take place.…

    • 1780 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Hca 322 Week 5 Final
    • 3435 Words
    • 14 Pages

    Hca 322 Week 5 Final

    “Aid in dying” is the most extensive idea of assisting someone to die. One component of this extensive idea is physician assisted death. Physician assisted death includes all of the types of euthanasia such as, active and passive euthanasia, which can be either voluntary or involuntary. A small subset of physician assisted death is physician assisted suicide (PAS). The concept of PAS covers a range of activities. On one end of the spectrum, there is the model used in Oregon; whereas the physician screens those who are seeking to commit suicide and, after determining the mental state, desire, and medical condition of the patient, assists in dying by writing a prescription for a lethal drug overdose. On the other end of the PAS spectrum is the active participation of a physician in assisting the patient by starting an intravenous solution and thereby more directly providing the means by which a patient can initiate the final act of committing suicide (Breitbart, 2012). Though seldom discussed, it is widely understood that the principal role of the physician is to “comfort always,” a role especially important when all hope to benefit from further treatment has faded. This ethic has never included assisting in suicide. When eliminating pain requires large amounts of morphine, unintended death in palliative treatment to provide comfort care raises few ethical, or legal, concerns. Almost certainly, physicians and other caregivers sometimes listen to the pleas of severe pain stricken patients to help them die, or solely from compassionate impulses they occasionally perform involuntary, active euthanasia on a medically hopeless patient who can no longer communicate (Sullivan, 2011). Indeed, both legal counsel and the healthcare administrators that provide advice must understand the legal and ethical implications of issues…

    • 3435 Words
    • 14 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More

Related Topics