Legalizing Euthanasia "Whose life is it, anyway?" A Plea stated by the late Sue Rodrigues. Rogrigues, a high-profile, terminally-ill resident of British Columbia, Canada, suffered from a terminally ill disease (Robinson, 2001). She was helped to commit suicide by a physician in violation of Canadian law. Many people, like Rodrigues, want to be in control of their final days. Terminally ill patients have a terminal disease and do not want to diminish their assets by incurring large medical costs as their death approaches (Robinson, 2001). As an act of generosity, they would rather die sooner, and pass on their assets to their beneficiaries. A serious disorder or disease has adversely affected their quality of life to the point where they no longer wish to continue living (Johansen, 2000). Myself, along with many other United States citizens believe that euthanasia should be legalized within the United States for reasons concerning medical advances, the severity of pain a person is in once diagnosed with a terminal illness, and the basic fact that a person’s life is their own life and no one else’s. Defenders in personal liberties argue that all people are morally entitled to end their lives when we feel it to be necessary (Johansen, 2000). Jay Johansen states in his article “Euthanasia: A Case of Individual Liberty?”, “Rather than endure great pain and suffering for the remainder of their lives, ill patients should have the ethical choice to choose to end their [suffering]” (Johansen, 2000). Samia Hurst in her article “Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia” affirms, “Some patients may request euthanasia to avoid the weakness and loss of mental failures that some diseases cause, and many people feel that the wisher shou... ... middle of paper ... ...ncluding the right to participate in assisted suicide. There are many issues concerning euthanasia, however, the three main issues that I feel are important when discussing the legalization of euthanasia are because of medical advances, the severity of pain a person is in once diagnosed with a terminal illness, and the basic fact that a person’s life is their own life and no one else’s. A physician should be allowed to participate in a patient’s death in a compassionate, confidential manner. A physician can provide the most peaceful, least painful and effective means to die. No human being should have to suffer with a terminal illness when an alternate course of action is available, such as euthanasia. No person has the right to take away a freedom given to another without just cause; therefore, who is to say that we cannot pursue the benefits of euthanasia.
There are several important ethical issues related to euthanasia. One is allowing people who are terminally ill and suffering the right to choose death. Should these people continue to suffer even though they really are ba...
In the modern day television series Teen Wolf, the main protagonist Scott McCall goes through a process of personal growth that falls in line with Joseph Campbell’s outline of a hero’s journey. The hero's journey, or monomyth, is the sequence of events or situations that cause a transformation within a character, taking them from their ordinary life and placing them at the pinnacle of extraordinary life. Chris Vogler, a contemporary of Joseph Campbell, says, “. . .[the hero's journey] is as infinitely varied as the human race itself; and yet its basic form remains the same. . .” There is always a departure, an initiation, and a return. The departure includes the first five stages of the journey: introduction of the character in their ordinary life, the character's call to adventure, refusal of the call (by the character or one of their associates), the character's meeting with a mentor (who will guide them throughout the journey), and crossing the first threshold from the ordinary world to the special world. The initiation includes the next four stages: tests of the character and introduction of enemies/allies, approaching the place of paramount importance, the supreme ordeal (usually in the face of death), and the seizing of the sword or the character's reward. The return is made up of the last three stages: the road back (wherein the character leaves the special world for their normal life), the resurrection or transformation caused by events past, and- finally- the return with the elixir or arrival home with some sort of treasure or boon to mankind. Scott McCall, like all characters on the journey, goes through these same phases. In accordance with many other famous journeys, his has more influence of the supernatural nature.
The right to assisted suicide is a significant topic that concerns people all over the United States. The debates go back and forth about whether a dying patient has the right to die with the assistance of a physician. Some are against it because of religious and moral reasons. Others are for it because of their compassion and respect for the dying. Physicians are also divided on the issue. They differ where they place the line that separates relief from dying--and killing. For many the main concern with assisted suicide lies with the competence of the terminally ill. Many terminally ill patients who are in the final stages of their lives have requested doctors to aid them in exercising active euthanasia. It is sad to realize that these people are in great agony and that to them the only hope of bringing that agony to a halt is through assisted suicide.When people see the word euthanasia, they see the meaning of the word in two different lights. Euthanasia for some carries a negative connotation; it is the same as murder. For others, however, euthanasia is the act of putting someone to death painlessly, or allowing a person suffering from an incurable and painful disease or condition to die by withholding extreme medical measures. But after studying both sides of the issue, a compassionate individual must conclude that competent terminal patients should be given the right to assisted suicide in order to end their suffering, reduce the damaging financial effects of hospital care on their families, and preserve the individual right of people to determine their own fate.
Thesis: At the moment, there is no definitive answer to the question of nature vs. nurture, there is, however, compelling evidence that the theory of Nature via. Nurture could be the solution.
The so-called ‘right to life’ debate has been beaten to death with no resolution in sight…but what of the ‘right to die’ issue? In California, legislation was passed last year that allows terminally ill patients, who are not expected to live more than six months, to request physician-assisted suicide. However, as with the other four states that have adopted similar legislation, the patient must be capable of administering the lethal drug to himself or herself, medical personnel are not required to participate in any way, and the relief does not benefit any others, such as quadriplegics or those suffering from chronic debilitating diseases("State-by-State Guide to Physician-Assisted Suicide"). Therefore, healthcare professionals can choose to follow their own moral values regardless of the patient’s wishes…and they do. The option to choose not to follow a patient’s wishes, or to deny assistance, steps squarely on the personal rights and freedoms of the
“If you truly believe in the value of life, you care about all of the weakest and most vulnerable members of society.” This thought-provoking quote by Joni Eareckson Tada conveys a sense of obligation held by society to take up the roles of caretakers for the ones that cannot aid their own health. In the relativity of physician-assisted suicide, the word “care” in the previous statement is defined by helping those in need, in this case, pertaining to health issues with a potentially terminal outcome. When analyzing this controversial subject, one must consider all aspects of the medical context as well as the ethical conviction that pairs with it. Should terminally ill patients have the right to a physician-assisted suicide simply to protect their civil liberties? Or is this option just a devised method opposing the purpose of doctors and physicians and the morals of civilization playing the role of a scapegoat and devaluing human life? Although on the surface, physician-assisted suicide for patients in critical condition appears to be a plausible remedy, when further inspected, a practical perspective arises saying this so-called final solution is morally and ethically wrong considering the responsibility of medics, society, and law makers.
Physicians may feel euthanasia could be a merciful way to alleviate the pain and suffering of terminally ill patients and could provide an alternate method of treatment for end stage diseases. Society may view euthanasia as a way in which pain and suffering can be ended humanly for persons who are terminally ill. Bringing solace and peace to the terminally ill is something society should reflect upon and remember that one day they may find their family member or themselves facing this dilemma. Responding to this issue in a positive manner, and by agreeing upon the legalization of euthanasia, society sends a clear message to all people that their lives matter and if one chooses euthanasia, it is their legal right to do so. Legalizing euthanasia would spare families the agony of watching a loved one pass away in less than a dignified manner. Terminally ill people do not want to burden their families with the financial burden that is left when one departs this life, euthanasia could lessen that burden. Euthanasia would provide for a more dignified way to end one’s life when faced with the prospect of prolonged pain and suffering. People should have the right to decide when and how they are going to die, and everyone should have the right to make this decision based on their own personal morals and beliefs. By enacting laws and regulations a person’s rights
Green roofs are an attractive sustainable technology, especially in densely developed urban area like Penn. One of the most significant environmental challenges facing Philadelphia is pollution of its rivers. Like many of America's older cities, Philadelphia has a combined sewer/stormwater system, in which underground sewer pipes also carry away excess stormwater after a rainfall. During significant rain events, excess stormwater from city roofs, roads and parking lots can overwhelm the sewage treatment plants, resulting in untreated sewage being washed directly into the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers. Since a good portion of the city is comprised of rooftops, one of the key strategies to reducing stormwater runoff is using green roofs to slow the passage of rainwater into the sewer system. Yet, uncertainty remains regarding their benefit in reducing an attenuating roof water runoff.
Wilmeth, M. (2008, October 1). Green Roof Study Finds Big Variation in Stormwater Retention - EBN: 17:10 . BuildingGreen.com . Retrieved December 1, 2010, from http://www.buildinggreen.com/auth/article.cfm/2008/9/25/Green-Roof-Study-Finds-Big-Variation-in-Stormwater-Retention/
Euthanasia had become a big debate in our society and the world. Many people ask, what is Euthanasia? “Euthanasia is a deliberate intervention or omission with the express intention of hastening or ending and individual’s life, to relieve intractable pain or suffering” (Sanders & Chaloner, 2007, p. 41). Thus the meaning of euthanasia is having the right to die if you are terminally ill, suffering and/or suffering a great amount of pain. Many people do not agree with the use of euthanasia, but if humans can put down animals why cannot we use euthanasia on humans? Back in ancient Greek and Roman times, the word euthanasia meant “good death”. Also it was allowed because many people did not live to long ages. When the times began to change so did people’s views on euthanasia, due to the new religion of Judeo-Christian Belief. Because life and death were giving to us by God, euthanasia goes against his wishes. If they practice in the act of euthanasia because of their beliefs they would be committing a sin and end up going to hell. (Yip,2009,p.1)
Undoubtedly, humans are unique and intricate creatures and their development is a complex process. It is this process that leads people to question, is a child’s development influenced by genetics or their environment? This long debate has been at the forefront of psychology for countless decades now and is better known as “Nature versus Nurture”. The continuous controversy over whether or not children develop their psychological attributes based on genetics (nature) or the way in which they have been raised (nurture) has occupied the minds of psychologists for years. Through thorough reading of experiments, studies, and discussions however, it is easy to be convinced that nurture does play a far more important in the development of a human than nature.
Other than physical traits genetics and the environment help develop reasoning, planning, part of speech, movement, emotions and problem solving. In a study done at Georgia State University, their study of how capuchin monkeys are affected by social condition is a great example of how nature and nurture work best together. A quote from the study write up reads, “Thus, perception and decision making in a quantity judgment task appear to be insulated from any negative effects of a more competitiv...
One of the most well-known debates in psychology is nature versus nurture. Nature is pre-determined traits, influenced by biological factors and genetics. Physical characteristics such as height, hair color, and eye color is all determined by the genetics we inherit. Nurture is the influence of environmental factors. Nature and nurture affects the physical, emotional, and social development of a child.
A mindset somewhat defines each and every one of us. It is basically how we view everything around us, and it affects our lives in so many ways! But there are actually two different types of mindsets which are a fixed and a growth mindset. A fixed mindset is the idea that each person has a certain amount of intelligence, while a growth mindset is the belief that intelligence is a potential that can be expanded. A growth mindset is genuinely the desired mindset because a person with a fixed mindset will probably not realize what they are truly capable of. For example, someone with a fixed mindset will feel threatened when challenged and mistakes would degrade their morale, but a person with a growth mindset would view challenges as exciting
Woodcock, George. The Paradox of Oscar Wilde. London-New York: T.V. Boardman and Co., Ltd., 1950.