Ethics- euthanasia

?
  • Created by: 11rsims
  • Created on: 23-05-17 21:31
What are the different types of euthanasia?
Voluntary euthanasia= ending someones life at their request, involuntary= killing without consent, non-voluntary euthanasia= a person is incapable of making wishes known
1 of 16
What is direct and passive euthanasia?
direct=ending life in a direct way, passive= withold medical treatment, food or water
2 of 16
Who was Dianne pretty?
she had motor neurone disease, eanted a doctor to help her die when she could no longer communicate, she would have committed suicide but wasnt able, she died in 2002 after fighting with high court and EU court
3 of 16
What is the sanctity of lie approach?
Refers to preciousness of human life, we are made in gods image, weak sanctity of life= may be situations where it is morally justifiable
4 of 16
What are the strengths of the sanctity of life approach?
values all human life equally, respects individuals future, gives everyone dignity, avoids group pressure, humans have reason making them distinct to animals
5 of 16
What are the weaknesses of the sanctity of life approach?
evoloution challenges the idea that we are made in Gods image, this is seen as "specism", cannot cope with the conflicts of duty
6 of 16
What is the quality of life argument?
refers to the value of a persons life, if a person is ill they should have the choice to end their life, humans should end their life with dignity, we would put down an animal, why not a human?
7 of 16
What did stuart Mill believe?
In matters that dont concern others we should have full autonomy
8 of 16
What does natural law say about euthanasia?
it looks at whether the act is intrinsically bad, assisted suicide goes against primary precepts, it is an apparent good and doesnt bring us closer to God, interior act is good but exterior act is bad, risk of "slippery slope"
9 of 16
what are the exceptions for euthanasia in natural law?
we are allowed painkillers and if an unintended side effect is death then it isnt morally blameworthy, proportionalism=euthanasia may be the right thing to do if there is proportionate reason to do such an act
10 of 16
What are the strengths of natural law?
gives clarity, shows we cannot do bad acts with good intentions, protects "sanctity of life", avoids "slippery slope", creates better palative care, doesnt prevent pain relief
11 of 16
What are the weaknesses of natural law?
doesnt account for situations where there is no quality of life, doesnt respect a persons autonomy, better to live well than long, our telos isnt to live forever, more compassionate to help someone die, why would we euthanise a pet but not a human?
12 of 16
What does sitationism say about euthanasia?
weak santity of life approach= there are situations when euthanasia is morally justifiable, it supports voluntary and involuntary euthanasia, quality of life is more important than sanctity of life, in some situations euthanasia is more loving
13 of 16
How are the four propositions applied to euthanasia?
Pragmatism=each case to be jydged on its own merits (unjustifiable to keep a terminally il person alive at the expense of other patients), relativism=each situation to be understood by it own merits,positivism=guiding principle should be love
14 of 16
What are the strengths of situationism?
highlights value of human dignity, flexible, puts patients care first, respects peoples autonomy, more pragmatic merciful and loving approach, recognises that no 2 situations are the same
15 of 16
What are the weaknesses of situationism?
difficult to decide what the most loving thing to do is, "slippery slope", too much freedom, doesnt perserve sanctity of life, it could lead to a society where we reject anyone less than "perfect"
16 of 16

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What is direct and passive euthanasia?

Back

direct=ending life in a direct way, passive= withold medical treatment, food or water

Card 3

Front

Who was Dianne pretty?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What is the sanctity of lie approach?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What are the strengths of the sanctity of life approach?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Religious Studies resources:

See all Religious Studies resources »See all Ethics resources »