Essay on Rights and Voluntary Euthanasia - 3662 Words

Essay Topic Euthanasia Word count 3487 This paper tries to set the issue of voluntary euthanasia in a philosophical framework by showing how some of the main philosophical theories about morality would deal with the topic. Philosophers have not discussed euthanasia as such until recently, although it is now a popular topic. What has always been discussed, however, is suicide, which raises much the same moral problems as voluntary euthanasia. The moral similarity between voluntary euthanasia and suicide enables us to make a reasonable guess about what some of the great philosophers would say about†¦show more content†¦Terminology is a problem here. Some philosophers confine the term Utilitarianism to the doctrine expounded in Mill essay of that name, whereby the good consequences are pleasure and the absence of pain. Others use the term Utilitarianism for Universal Consequentialism in general, since all versions of this view judge actions by their results - their usefulness or utility. I shall adopt this terminol ogy, which distinguishes different forms of the theory as Hedonistic (pleasure-based) Utilitarianism and Ideal Utilitarianism. I think that both the Hedonistic and the Ideal Utilitarian would argue that voluntary euthanasia is often right. The Hedonistic Utilitarian would say that situations often arise in which a persons continued existence brings more pain than pleasure both to them and to all those who are distressed by their suffering - not to speak of the resources which are being spent on keeping them alive and which would produce more happiness if used in other ways. The Ideal version of Utilitarianism is even more in tune with the views of those who advocate the possibility of death with dignity through voluntary euthanasia. For Ideal Utilitarians can counter the familiar objection to euthanasia - that no one who receives proper expert care need die in pain and distress - by saying that the good that they seek is not mere absence of pain, physical orShow MoreRelatedDo You Think That the Right to Life Entails a Right to Die Under Certain Circumstances? Should the Law Be Changed to Grant a Universal Ri ght to Voluntary Euthanasia?1000 Words   |  4 Pagesthat the right to life entails a right to die under certain circumstances?† and â€Å"Should the laws be changed to grant a universal right to voluntary euthanasia?†. In this essay, I am going to give reasons using ethical theories to justify these questions. Euthanasia Euthanasia is the act of a physician or other third party ending a patients life in response to severe pain and suffering. Euthanasia can be classified into three types. They are voluntary euthanasia, non-voluntary euthanasia and involuntaryRead MoreDo You Think That the Right to Life Entails a Right to Die Under Certain Circumstances? Should the Law Be Changed to Grant a Universal Right to Voluntary Euthanasia?1008 Words   |  5 Pagesthat the right to life entails a right to die under certain circumstances?† and â€Å"Should the laws be changed to grant a universal right to voluntary euthanasia?†. In this essay, I am going to give reasons using ethical theories to justify these questions. Euthanasia Euthanasia is the act of a physician or other third party ending a patients life in response to severe pain and suffering. Euthanasia can be classified into three types. They are voluntary euthanasia, non-voluntary euthanasia and involuntaryRead More Legalizing Voluntary Euthanasia Essay988 Words   |  4 PagesToday, voluntary euthanasia is getting closer to being legalized in more than just one state in the United States. â€Å"‘Voluntary’ euthanasia means that the act of putting the person to death is the end result of the person’s own free will† (Bender 19). â€Å" Voluntary euthanasia is an area worthy of our serious consideration, since it would allow patients who have exhausted all other reasonable options to choose death rather than continue suffering† (Bender 19). The question of whether or not voluntaryRead MoreThe Controversial Topic of Euthanasia975 Words   |  4 PagesEuthanasia is a controversial topic throughout today’s s ociety. As euthanasia is illegal in America, Singer fights for the legalization of voluntary euthanasia, which means the patients make voluntary request to be assisted to die. While religious views value that the life cannot be taken away so easily, Singer focuses on the human rights that enable their choices to die or not to die. However, I do not agree with singer’s respect for autonomy on the issue of voluntary euthanasia because this issueRead MoreShould Euthanasia Be Legalized?907 Words   |  4 Pagesof voluntary active euthanasia, which is a highly contentious issue in the United States. Voluntary active euthanasia is currently illegal in the United States. However, I believe that patients with terminal illnesses experiencing a lot of pain and misery should have the right to die the way they choose, with dignity, instead of being subjected to agony. People should be able to choose voluntary active euthanasia, if ever need be, which is why I believe that despite curren t policy, voluntary activeRead MoreVoluntary Euthanasi A Controversial Issue1354 Words   |  6 PagesVoluntary Euthanasia 2 Voluntary Euthanasia is in of itself, entirely a controversial issue. What is Voluntary Euthanasia? Voluntary Euthanasia is intentionally bringing about the death of another person who has either requested it or given their consent. In this paper, we will explore the intricacies of voluntary euthanasia, the issues, the moral dilemma, and how different types of ethicists would view the act. Voluntary euthanasia is controversial simply because it may be considered murder andRead MoreEuthanasia Should Be Legalized For Terminally Ill People1064 Words   |  5 PagesThe word euthanasia has a Greek meaning â€Å"the good death. On the other hand, in the society today, there are deeper and more meanings to euthanasia than before. Voluntary euthanasia concerns itself with the consent of the person to die through the assistance of others. Voluntary euthanasia can be divided into two areas: passive voluntary witch is holding back medical treatment with the patient’s request, active voluntary killing the patient at that patient s request informing the assistant on howRead MoreThe Issue Of Legalizing Voluntary Euthanasia1429 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Euthanasia refers to a practice whereby an act is intentionally carried out with the purpose inducing death . It is usually seen in light of inducing death to patients who are terminally ill or may not be terminally ill but are suffering from unbearable pain . The focus of this paper is on voluntary euthanasia, namely, euthanasia carried out upon the request of a patient deemed competent enough to make such decisions . This paper will argue the importance of legalising voluntary euthanasia toRead MoreShould Euthanasia Be Legal?1635 Words   |  7 Pagesand of right ought to be, entitled to make for themselves those decisions that most affect them. While it is true that we have no control over our births, at least we ought to have control over our deaths. We claim to be free people but someone else’s morals and standards could possibly govern the way we die. Medicine today makes it possible for patients who are living with unbearable pain to choose to die peacefully and with dignity. Physician-assisted suicide or active, voluntary euthanasia for anRead MoreEuthanasi The Controversial Issue Of Euthanasia1650 Words   |  7 PagesAdelaide students think about legalising voluntary euthanasia in Australia? Introduction The purpose of this research is to seeking and analysing the opinions about legalising voluntary euthanasia within Adelaide students (aged 18-25 years old). With recent changes to legalisation of child euthanasia in Belgium, the controversial issue of euthanasia is currently being re-spotlighted all over the world. Ongoing active discussion on the legalisation of euthanasia mainly debates individual’s choices in