Preview

Act Utilitarian Arguments Against Euthanasia

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
247 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Act Utilitarian Arguments Against Euthanasia
“We do indeed have the right to self-determination but that this right does not include the right to opt for active voluntary euthanasia. The reason is active voluntary euthanasia is killing, and killing is always wrong.” (Vaughn, 2013, 299) There are several reasons that Act Utilitarian’s oppose euthanasia. An Act Utilitarian looks to balance good vs. evil, with the greatest good for everyone involved becoming the most favorable act. To begin this argument, euthanasia is an unjustified type of killing. While not all killings are unacceptable such as in cases of self-defense, euthanasia is considered a merciless killing leading to a weakened respect for human life. Furthermore, physicians would hold the power to control death, thus leading

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    In the essay, “The Right to die, the author, Alexander DuPre, talks about euthanasia and how it should be allowed. I agree with Alexander. One should be allowed to determine if they want to live or die. Not only is it better for the person who wants to end their suffering but also for the ones that suffer because of the ones who are suffering. The ill, family and friends of the ill, and tax paying citizens.…

    • 620 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Euthanasia is currently legal in the United States, but still considered cruel to some people. Animals that are in agony and need mercy are euthanized. Some think that it's cruel to put animals out of there misery, but some think it's cruel not to. Euthanasia, mercy killing used on animals, is fair to animals in suffer. If a dog got hit by a car and was in great pain, you could either wait until it dies on its own, or euthanize the dog, putting it out of its misery.…

    • 207 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    “Any action or social policy is morally right if it serves to increase the amount of happiness in the word or to decrease the amount of misery. Conversely, an action or social policy is morally wrong if it serves to decrease happiness or to increase misery.” (RSL/Rachels, EL 247) The utilitarian argument is used to justify and condemn many policies, however, I believe that the argument is especially fitting when it comes to the matter of active euthanasia. Mercy, an action that serves to decrease the overall misery in the world, is an unquestionable sign of kindness and correctness. Mercy comes in many forms and is rarely frowned upon. Following this reasoning, why is mercy that takes the form of ending a suffering patient’s life considered…

    • 1542 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Euthanasia Ethical Dilemma

    • 2102 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Euthanasia is a social issue in today’s world because not only does it affect the lives of those who are terminally ill and/or comatose, and the physicians who have been entrusted with their care, but it also affects the patient’s ability to have control over their own life, whether they are aware of this decision or not, which is one of the reasons why euthanasia has become such a controversial issue around the globe. Caddell and Newton (1995) define euthanasia as “any treatment initiated by a physician with the intent of hastening the death of another human being who is terminally ill and in severe pain or distress with the motive of relieving that person from great suffering” (p. 1,672). Even though the concept of great…

    • 2102 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    There is a civil argument over helped suicide, otherwise called euthanasia, this level headed discussion has been continuing for a long time. A few individuals trust that euthanasia isn't right and ought to be illicit, while others trust the inverse. A few individuals trust that on the off chance that somebody has settled on the choice to execute themselves and are physically not able to, they ought to be given help with their passing. Starting now on the off chance that somebody helps another in helped suicide they are held blameworthy of homicide or endeavored murder if the endeavor does not work. The issue presented is ought to one be held blameworthy for carrying out a wrongdoing of homicide where the individual who requesting that they help with their suicide worked.…

    • 1277 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The study of Bioethics involves the consideration of ethical issues arising from advancements in medicine and/or biology. The study of bioethics helps with determining the proper decision in regard to medical or biological issues. Bioethics is highly influential in academia, where scholars investigate the various scenarios arising from advancements, but is also influential in the applied realms of biology and medicine. Albert Jonsen, in his book Bioethics, claims "This field has established itself as an integral part of practical or applied philosophy and as a valuable adjunct to health policy and medical practice" (Jonsen 4). When dealing with the human body, ethics must be considered in order to preserve the value of human life. A highly…

    • 1545 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The right to physician-assisted suicide is a very controversial topic that concerns many people all over the world. There has been much debate about whether a terminally ill patient has the right to die with the assistance of a physician. Physician-assisted suicide is defined as a physician providing a patient with means to kill themselves. The doctor would prescribe a lethal dose of medication to the patient to end their life. From the Utilitarian standpoint, physician-assisted suicide is morally acceptable because the patients should be allowed to end there suffering, reduce the damaging financial…

    • 1112 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Many people believe that euthanasia is a patient’s right. According to ProCon.org, “… a terminally ill person has a protected liberty interest in choosing to end intolerable suffering by bringing about his or her own death” (ProCon.org, “Top 10 Pros and Cons”). Claiming that everyone has the right to choose their death. The website also went deeper into the matter by bringing the Hippocratic Oath, “do no harm” (ProCon.org, “Top 10 Pros and Cons”). It…

    • 920 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The concept and practice of physician assisted suicide is a highly debated topic in today’s news. People often question the morals of the physicians who practice euthanasia and there are some who believe that they should not even be considered doctors. Euthanasia is the ending of someone's life through a doctor's help and is still illegal in most countries. One of the most well known advocates for the practice of euthanasia is Jack Kevorkian, who has also been referred to as Dr. Death. He was tried and convicted of second degree murder, however his practice gained a lot of support from the publicity of his trials. Although he is responsible for over 130 deaths, Kevorkian is a hero in today’s standards because of his involvement in the practice…

    • 1044 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    “To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.” Nelson Mandela. What are human rights? The right to life, the right to our bodies? Do we have a right to control how we die? Assisted suicide or euthanasia is medically receiving help to end one's life and it is legal in five states. Despite being a highly debated issue there has yet to be a consensus on the ethics of performing euthanasia. While those in favor of euthanasia say that people have the right to end their suffering on their own terms and the legalization will permit much needed regulations to protect the patient from abuse; those against assisted suicide argue that the practice contradicts…

    • 620 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    This argument needs to be settled so people can either go through the process or not even have the option. If patients cannot obtain euthanasia then there needs to be more ways that will ensure patients less pain and suffering for them. IN the future, hopefully the Unites States will legalize euthanasia or find a better alternative than euthanasia that will allow patients to die with dignity. People of the United States and all over the world cannot live in fear of what might be right or might be wrong, chances need to be taken to understand and develop more. To end with is a quotes from “Doctor Death, Jack Kevorkian, and “My ultimate aim is to make euthanasia a positive experience.” (Euthanasia…

    • 1193 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In recent years, assisted suicide has become a rather controversial topic regarding whether or not a dying patient has the right to die with the assistance of a physician. While some are against it due to moral beliefs, others support it as a result of their respect for those suffering. However, physicians remain divided on the issue, being torn on the difference between relief from dying and murder. After analyzing the issue in depth, it is clear that terminally ill patients should be granted the right to assisted suicide in order to end their suffering, reduce financial burdens placed upon their families, and preserve the right of individuals to determine their own fate when facing death.…

    • 959 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Therefore physician assisted suicide should not be seen as the ending of someone’s life but instead be seen as the end of someone’s suffering and pain. As a person, one has the constitutional and moral right to over his or her body. If a person decides to die with dignity then rather have to go through months of misery. Then that is their choice. If a patient would want to spare their family of hospital debt. If the pain is too much for them to continue. Then that is their choice over their life. The terminally ill person’s decision should be respected just the same as the healthy person’s decision is…

    • 915 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    It´s your own body, so why should you not be allowed to decide what happens with your own body? Kelly Hockley (an Australian professional woman on human rights) said: “Euthanasia is in fact a good death”. I think that you should be allowed to decide about yourself, because if you want to die like that, you can of course, because you have to decide for it. It´s almost like brushing your teeth, smoking or riding too fast. Everybody recommends you to not ride too fast, but you can decide either you do it or not. It is and it will always be your decision! I do realise that you have to think about others, but when you´re very ill and you can´t do anything anymore then it…

    • 729 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The concept of intentionally ending a life through assisted suicide or euthanasia is a controversial topic. There are many moral, practical, and religious arguments either for or against these acts, making it difficult to find any easy answers to these issues. There are a variety of perspectives on euthanasia and assisted suicide that have developed and have been put into policies in some states or countries. This paper will explore what is meant by euthanasia and assisted suicide, some of the arguments for and against intentionally ending a life, and my own values and beliefs surrounding these issues.…

    • 1907 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays