Euthanasia

Euthanasia

An acceptance of the practice of Voluntary Euthanasia is incompatible

with the Christian belief in the Sanctity of Life but not with the

attitudes of some ethical philosophers. Discuss.

'No one shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading

treatment or punishment'.[1] Imagine at the age of 40, you are

diagnosed with Motor neurone disease, a fatal disease that causes

degeneration of the motor neurones, which leads the wasting of

muscles. You are intellectually sound but totally dependant on your

spouse for physical support. You are aware of the fact that your death

is imminent and will probably be painful, suffering from severe

breathing problems and pneumonia before slipping into a coma. By the

age of 42 you want to end your life, leaving your two children and

spouse with more pleasant memories of you, however, the courts will

not allow you to end your life[2]. This was exactly the situation of

Diane Pretty, the most recent of euthanasia case in the media.

However, she died on 12th May 2002 after losing her case. Euthanasia

continues to be one of the most controversial subjects of the modern

world.

The word euthanasia literally means 'dying well' and it originates

from two Greek words, 'eu' and 'thanatos'. Euthanasia is defined as

'…an action or omission which of itself or by intention causes death.'[3]

A case where a patient specifically asks to die repeatedly and

receives euthanasia, which is not a decision made by a doctor or the

patient's family or friends, is one of voluntary euthanasia. There are

two types of voluntary euthanasia, passive and active. Passive

euthanasia is the omission or ter...

... middle of paper ...

...n, mentioned by Ludovic

Kennedy in his book; 'Euthanasia - dying well'

[18] AS/A level Religious Studies exam revision notes - Philip Alan

Updates - Sarah Tyler page 134

[19] Ethical theory page 60, Mel Thompson

[20] Exodus 20:13

[21] Philosophy of religion and ethics (Phillip Allan Updates)

[22] Oxford English Dictionary

[23] Foundations of the metaphysics of morals, 1985, opening of the

first section, from The puzzle of ethics, Peter Vardy

[24] AS/A level Religious Studies exam revision notes - Philip Alan

Updates - Sarah Tyler page 138

[25] Joseph Priestly's Essay on government as mentioned by Sarah Tyler

in her book AS/A level Religious Studies exam revision notes - Philip

Alan Updates page 128

[26] Ethical theory page 82 - Mel Thomspon.

[27] Ethical theory page 102, Mel Thompson