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Physician Assisted Dying Utilitarianism

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Physician Assisted Dying Utilitarianism
Physician Assisted Dying: Ethical or Unfathomable? Physician assisted dying is a very controversial issue and it is only becoming more controversial with more cases coming to light. Many people believe that assisting a patient in dying goes against the moral code that doctors should follow. Their job is to go to any measures to sustain the life under their care, but what about individuals suffering with no hope of getting better? Wouldn’t doctors then be obligated morally to relieve these individuals of their agony and put them to peace? Considering that, some argue in favor of the sick and believe they deserve a voice and a right to choose how much suffering is enough suffering. Should someone who is suffering from a terminal illness that …show more content…
Utilitarianism is the most widespread and popular form of consequentialism (Rosenstand, 2013). This means that any action should be judged by its consequences only. I believe that a utilitarian would find Physician assisted dying ethical because it is bettering an individual’s life. Utilitarians see as their moral guideline a rule that encourages them to make life bearable for as many people as possible (Rosenstand, 2013). A Utilitarian goes out of their way to make the people around them comfortable and happy and would go above and beyond to better someone’s life. When a doctor agrees to Physician assisted suicide, they have exhausted all other options and realize that keeping that individual patient alive, is doing them more harm than good. A doctor is supposed to relieve suffering and if agreeing to assist a patient in dying will relieve suffering, a Utilitarian would go to those measures to …show more content…
I have analyzed this situation from the perspective of a Utilitarian and my own viewpoints which go hand in hand. While others may see this as morally wrong and believe it goes against a physician’s ethical code of conduct, I completely disagree. I find the physicians who have the compassion to help these patients to relieve their suffering for once and for all to be truly inspiring even when so many people will pass judgements and disagree with their decision. As I stated before, doctors have very hard jobs and constantly have people judge and disapprove of their methods and treatments and I find it admirable that they still make the best decisions and take the patients best interests into consideration, even if that means assisting their
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