Argumentative Essay On Euthanasia

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Physician-assisted (PA) euthanasia is a subject that is often debated both morally and legally. Many argue that the killing of an individual by another regardless of circumstance is immoral, and while it is ultimately up to the individuals asking and performing the procedure whether or not it is, I believe that physician-assisted euthanasia is morally permissible in case of the terminally-ill individuals after the patient has undergone appropriate screening to ensure that they are in a stable mental state when their decision has been made, both patient and physician have discussed all other options and it is clear that the decision has been made by the patient. I believe that it is morally permissible to for a patient and physician to participate …show more content…

However, that is not correct. There is a difference between simply being alive and living, and those who have terminal illnesses are no longer able to live the lives that they once had. Many are consistently in and out of the hospital or taking medications that alter their abilities to maintain the lives the lead previously, which can decrease their quality of life so much that they feel as though they are no longer living, they are just alive. When they get to that point, they may feel as though continuing to be alive is just a burden, not only on themselves, but on those surrounding them (Brock 614). Because life at this point is seen as a burden, it would be morally permissible for a physician to assist in ending the patient’s life if they asked for it. The patient is no longer invested being kept alive anymore, and there probably would not be much that anyone else could say to change their mind. Philosopher Daniel Callahan is against euthanasia as a means to end suffering or the burden that one feels has become of their life, comparing the physician assisted euthanasia to dueling or selling one’s self into slavery. He feels that like dueling or selling yourself into slavery, euthanasia does not dignify humanity (Callahan 626). Callahan’s argument can be dispelled through the argument of autonomy however, because merely having the choice to undergo euthanasia and have their wishes respected is dignifies

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