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Moral issue of euthanasia
1. Moral Issue of Euthanasia
Mevelle L Asuncion
CENTRAL MINDANAO UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF NURSING
2. EUTHANASIA
Gk word “ eu”- easy
“thanatos” – death
Painless death
Mercy killing
3. Classification
1. self-administered
Active/positive euthanasia
Passive/negative euthanasia
2. Other administered
Active and voluntary
Passive and voluntary
Active and nonvoluntary
Passive and nonvoluntary
6. Positive side
Mercy killing
Preserve human dignity
Negative side
Hastens the death of the individual
Does not prolong agony
7. Different views
Garry Williams
◦ Wrong
1. Argument from nature
2. Argument from self-interest
3. Argument from practical effects
James Rachel
◦ Allows euthanasia to be humane, since
it does not prolong agony
◦ Depends on motive and intentions
8. Different views
Fillipa 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
9. Natural law ethics
Condemns mercy killing
Except for principle of double effect
Ex:
◦ Giving of pain reliever with good intention
but with indirect effect of shortening
lifespan
10. Kant’s ethics
Preserve human dignity
Autonomous rational being
Ok with active voluntary euthanasia
Ok with active nonvoluntary if the
patient is comatose
Comatose
◦ No self-regulating will