Defending against voluntary euthanasia?

[The_Scott]

Hi everyone,

So, in my Ethics class, we have a debate (two on one side, two on another) on a particular topic. I chose to be on the debate regarding euthanasia, specially on the against side. Today I talked to my group, and we decided to narrow down the topic to voluntary euthanasia.

Here’s a quick example that we thought of:

John Doe is 30 years old, and has an inoperable brain tumor. He will die within the year, and in that year he will experience immense pain. He wants to die, and asks the doctor to assist him. Would it be better for the doctors to give a lethal dose of medication, effectively killing John? Or does John not have a say in the matter, thus forcing him to live the remaining year with the tumor?

I was wondering if someone could help me on this topic. Believe me, I’m not asking for you to do my homework, but I just want to know some objections that could be raised. Also, if possible, I would like to avoid religious objections (such as, “Only God can take away life.”) I’m not saying that that isn’t a valid objection, I’d just like to know some secular philosophical objections that can be raised. This way, it can “relate” (if you will) to the class.

Thanks!

Peace.

 

[Newbie2]

Strictly from an humanistic POV, there are no objections to voluntary euthanasia.

Now it can be argues that a physician should never be involved with such a procedure, as it could involve a conflict of interests. Of course, it could be in the realm of possibility that a “specialty” be developed in which that all that such doctors would do…euthanize people.

Perhaps the “slippery slope” notion of what is “voluntary” and not, is a person facing an unpleasant (understatement, granted) future really in a proper state of mind to decide their own future, etc. are the best questions to bring up in the discussion.

 

[geekborj]

Hi everyone,

So, in my Ethics class, we have a debate (two on one side, two on another) on a particular topic. I chose to be on the debate regarding euthanasia, specially on the against side. Today I talked to my group, and we decided to narrow down the topic to voluntary euthanasia.

Here’s a quick example that we thought of:

John Doe is 30 years old, and has an inoperable brain tumor. He will die within the year, and in that year he will experience immense pain. He wants to die, and asks the doctor to assist him. Would it be better for the doctors to give a lethal dose of medication, effectively killing John? Or does John not have a say in the matter, thus forcing him to live the remaining year with the tumor?

I was wondering if someone could help me on this topic. Believe me, I’m not asking for you to do my homework, but I just want to know some objections that could be raised. Also, if possible, I would like to avoid religious objections (such as, “Only God can take away life.”) I’m not saying that that isn’t a valid objection, I’d just like to know some secular philosophical objections that can be raised. This way, it can “relate” (if you will) to the class.

Thanks!

Peace.

Look for the sense of humanity. Try relating pain and suffering to the true nature of Man.

I think pain and suffering is a necessary experience for a man to be truly human. Besides, if pain is the problem, there are ways to relieve the pain without directly causing death. Isn’t facing Natural Death more human than fleeing it by causing it yourself?

 

[thistle]

Hi everyone,

So, in my Ethics class, we have a debate (two on one side, two on another) on a particular topic. I chose to be on the debate regarding euthanasia, specially on the against side. Today I talked to my group, and we decided to narrow down the topic to voluntary euthanasia.

Here’s a quick example that we thought of:

John Doe is 30 years old, and has an inoperable brain tumor. He will die within the year, and in that year he will experience immense pain. He wants to die, and asks the doctor to assist him. Would it be better for the doctors to give a lethal dose of medication, effectively killing John? Or does John not have a say in the matter, thus forcing him to live the remaining year with the tumor?

I was wondering if someone could help me on this topic. Believe me, I’m not asking for you to do my homework, but I just want to know some objections that could be raised. Also, if possible, I would like to avoid religious objections (such as, “Only God can take away life.”) I’m not saying that that isn’t a valid objection, I’d just like to know some secular philosophical objections that can be raised. This way, it can “relate” (if you will) to the class.

Thanks!

Peace.

“voluntary euthanasia” is just another way of saying suicide!!

 

[IrishRush]

One other argument, at least from the aspect of the physician helping the patient to end his life, is the Hippocratic oath the physician takes, which clearly states, “first do no harm.” I would say that causing someone’s death most definitely does harm. From the same standpoint, having a doctor administer or be involved in executions for the states should also be prohibited, for the same reason. In fact, I believe the American Society of Anesthesiologists prohibits their members from participating in executions.
Hope this helps some.

 

[The_Scott]

These are all really good points (especially connecting the fact that voluntary euthanasia is just a nice way of saying suicide)! Thank you all very much.

I’m going to talk to the group tomorrow and see if we can change the topic to non-voluntary euthanasia, where the person has no say either way about the decision (think Terry Schiavo). That way it’s more neutral ground, because, right now, it seems the ball is already in their court.

We’re not supposed to focus on the legal aspect of the debate, although that will inevitably come up, but instead on the ethical aspects.

Also, I was wondering if there is a good quote somewhere that says the following: Human nature is fundamentally concerned with self-preservation.

Thank you!

Peace.

 

[Big_Dummy]

Christian ethics By Norman L. Geisler

The contribution of natural law theory to moral and legal debate concerning … By Craig Paterson

Ethics for a Brave New World By John S. Feinberg, Paul D. Feinberg

Christian Ethics: An Introduction By Bernard Hoose

Euthanasia: opposing viewpoints
James D. Torr

Assisted suicide and euthanasia: Christian moral perspectives : the Washington report
Episcopal Church. Diocese of Washington. Committee on Medical Ethics

A different death: euthanasia & the Christian tradition
Edward John Larson, Darrel W. Amundsen

The right to die?: a Christian response to euthanasia By Roland Chia

Truth, Spirituality, and Contemporary Issues: For Aqa Gcse Religious Studies B By Anne Jordan

SCM studyguide to Christian ethics By Neil Messer

Christian Ethics: An Introductory Reader By Samuel Wells

Euthanasia: opposing viewpoints
Carol Wekesser

Euthanasia: opposing viewpoints
Neal Bernards

Breaking the thread of life: on rational suicide By Robert Laurence Barry

Bioethics: a nursing perspective
Megan-Jane Johnstone

What effects will Euthanasia have on the provider?

google.com/search?tbm=bks&tbo=1&q=Norm+Geisler+ethics+Euthanasia#sclient=psy-ab&hl=en&tbo=1&tbm=bks&source=hp&q=effects++Euthanasia++on+the+provider&pbx=1&oq=effects++Euthanasia++on+the+provider&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=3235l6329l5l6610l17l13l0l0l0l0l719l3186l0.3.7.1.6-1l12l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=94f50b0d586f03cd&biw=1024&bih=454

 

[Big_Dummy]

Would you as a patient want to go to a doctor who kills customers with curable dieases?

Lets say the day after someone kills themself, a cure for what they have is found?