Is Euthanasia Ethically Right Or Wrong?

Euthanasia is one of the most controversial moral issues in today’s society. The word euthanasia was originated from the Greek words eu (“well”) and thanatos (“death”), which means a painless and gentle death. But, the modern day definition of euthanasia is the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or in an irreversible coma (“General History of Euthanasia”). Euthanasia is illegal in most countries, including the United States—except in Washington, Oregon, California, Vermont and in Bernalillo County in New Mexico (Segura). So is euthanasia ethically right or wrong? Many Americans support euthanasia because they feel that as democratic country, we are free individuals that have right to determine when to terminate someone’s life. On the other side of the argument, people that oppose euthanasia feel that it is God’s duty to decide when one of His “creations” time has come. They think that we, as humans, are in no place to behave as God and end someone’s life. Personally, I believe that it all depends on what kind

So, suicide (or assisted suicide) is wrong—that goes for killing, as well. Thus, voluntary euthanasia is also wrong. In Kant’s belief to forbid suicide and euthanasia, he is merging the respect for people with killing oneself or another. If killing yourself is sinfully wrong, then how is killing others (even if for their own benefit or by request) morally right? In Kant’s opinion, it can’t be and it’s not. He believed that emotions were irrelevant when making decisions and that morality was guided by reasoned duty. For example, donating money to charity out of compassion would be wrong; it would only be right if It were donated out of duty. This also applies to active euthanasia—no matter how bad someone wants to be euthanized, it is only a desire. Therefore, it is irrelevant to what should actually be done (Tudlen,