Euthanasia

Euthanasia

Introduction

One of the biggest controversies in the UK today is Euthanasia. Arguments about Euthanasia often hinge on the 'right to life' and 'right to die', should it be legalised? Originally the word Euthanasia meant 'a gentle and easy death', however nowadays it is 'the act of inducing an easy death'. Why the change in meaning and everybody's new found view that Euthanasia is in fact murder?

Euthanasia

Euthanasia, also known as 'mercy killing', comes from a Greek word meaning 'a good death' (Hunter, 1996). Euthanasia can be divided into several types, which are voluntary euthanasia, non-voluntary euthanasia, involuntary euthanasia, and assisted suicide, euthanasia by action and euthanasia by omission. One of the myths concerning euthanasia is that it allows patients to pass away peacefully while their families watch on. However, that is far from the truth.

Morality of Euthanasia

Those who defend the moral permissibility of euthanasia tend to do so on two grounds: autonomy and welfare (I am not suggesting that these are the only grounds on which one might do so).

The autonomy argument

Euthanasia respects the autonomy of the individual. An individual should have their choices respected so long as doing so does not harm others.

The welfare argument

It will sometimes be in someone's best interests to die and it would be cruel and inhumane to refuse a request for death in such circumstances.

Normally defenders of euthanasia will use both arguments. After all, the welfare argument alone is capable of justifying involuntary euthanasia. The autonomy argument would rule this out. Similarly, the autonomy argument, taken alone, would justify euthanasia even in cases where the individual is not terminally ill and is not suffering - just as long as they request euthanasia. Many would oppose euthanasia being as widely available as that. So, welfare considerations are added to the mix - the patient's autonomy should be respected so long a doing so does not harm the welfare of others or the patient. Clearly there is room for debate over how one weights considerations of autonomy versus considerations of welfare.

Arguments

Many people have diverse views on the issue. Humanists live by moral principles and promote happiness and fulfillment in this life; they believe that voluntary euthanasia is morally correct, whilst upholding the need for safeguards to prevent involuntary euthanasia. Other religious groups such as Christians and Roman Catholics use phrases like 'the sanctity of life' to justify their view that life has fundamental value and must not be destroyed. They think that there is a moral distinction between active euthanasia and omissions, which cause death (passive euthanasia), only passive is ethically permissible. Different countries have different views on Euthanasia, for example Australia and Holland have legalised Euthanasia, whereas Canada and the UK have banned it calling it murder and manslaughter.

Active & Passive Euthanasia

Active euthanasia involves a positive act of mercy killing. For example, if a doctor judges that it is in a patient's interests that they die, and so kills them for that reason this would be ...