Euthanasia and Suicide: Ethical Perspectives

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Questions and Answers

What is the central claim of Existentialism regarding existence and essence?

Essence precedes existence.

Existence and essence are separate concepts.

Existence precedes essence. (correct)

Essence is defined solely by societal norms.

According to Friedrich Nietzsche, what impact does the belief in an afterlife have on human focus?

It reinforces the value of life.

It creates a moral framework for living.

It enhances focus on human affairs.

It distracts from concrete realities. (correct)

What does Soren Kierkegaard suggest about the afterlife?

It should be ignored in favor of current existence.

It is the concern of faith rather than reason. (correct)

It is primarily a concern of reason.

It has no relevance to existential thought.

How is anxiety related to the concept of non-being in existential philosophy?

Anxiety is the existential awareness of non-being. Signup and view all the answers

What do existential thinkers believe is the root of human anxiety?

Fear of death. Signup and view all the answers

What fundamental condition of human life is illustrated by the concept of death in existentialism?

The recognition of life’s value. Signup and view all the answers

In what way can the awareness of one's own death be beneficial, according to the existential perspective?

It facilitates a deeper understanding of one's self. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two methods of dealing with anxiety highlighted in existential philosophy?

Confront it or escape from it. Signup and view all the answers

What is the current medical criterion for declaring death?

Irreversible coma Signup and view all the answers

Why is providing a clear legal-medical definition of death important?

To avoid civil and criminal liability in medical practices Signup and view all the answers

How do most religions view death in relation to life after death?

As a transition to another form of existence Signup and view all the answers

What does the existential definition of death emphasize?

The transition from being to non-being Signup and view all the answers

What ethical issues may arise from defining brain death?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What can potentially happen if a patient is prematurely declared dead?

Organ harvesting may occur unlawfully Signup and view all the answers

Why might patients on life-support still be considered dead under the new definition?

They lack any brain activity despite other functioning organs Signup and view all the answers

What concept does 'to lose all the possibilities' refer to in existential discussions of death?

The transition from being to non-being Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary moral rationale against suicide according to natural law?

It goes against self-preservation. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes active euthanasia from passive euthanasia?

Active euthanasia entails taking direct action to end life. Signup and view all the answers

According to the theological argument, why is euthanasia considered wrong?

Only God has the authority to take life. Signup and view all the answers

What ethical concern arises from the psychological argument for euthanasia?

Patients may feel their life is not worth living. Signup and view all the answers

How is abortion commonly defined based on the content?

An act aimed at ending the life of a fetus. Signup and view all the answers

What is the intrinsic moral issue identified with killing?

It prevents the fulfillment of potential futures. Signup and view all the answers

What argument supports the idea that euthanasia violates a physician's commitment?

It contradicts the role of physicians to protect life. Signup and view all the answers

What is often considered a justification for abortion under certain conditions?

Biological defects in the fetus. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Suicide

Generally considered morally wrong, based on natural law and religious arguments.
Natural Law: Man's natural disposition is self-preservation.
Theological Argument: "Thou shalt not kill" (6th Commandment). God gave life and intends it to be preserved.

Euthanasia (Mercy Killing)

Can be active or passive, depending on the method used.
Can be voluntary, involuntary, or non-voluntary, depending on the patient's consent.

Euthanasia: Medical-Legal Argument

Contradicts the role of physicians.
Initiating termination of life goes against the fundamental moral and professional commitment of a physician – to care for and protect patients' lives.

Euthanasia: Theological Argument

Euthanasia is considered administered killing.
God does not allow killing.
God gave life, only God can take it away.
Euthanasia devalues God's gift of life and the dignity of human life.

Euthanasia: Psychological Argument

A dying person may feel pressured to choose euthanasia due to guilt associated with feeling like a burden to their family and medical personnel.
Euthanasia may seem like the only way out of this perceived burden.

Abortion

The act of intentionally terminating the life of a fetus for the sake of the woman carrying it.
Some justifications for abortion include the argument that the child will not have a bright future due to biological defects.

Ethics of Killing

Killing is inherently wrong because it promotes premature death.
Killing deprives individuals of their future.

Medical Definition of Death

Irreversible coma (brain dead) is the accepted medical criterion for death.
Shift from cardio-pulmonary to neurological criterion of death.
A patient may be breathing and have a heartbeat through medical machines, but still be brain dead, thus considered deceased.

Importance of Clear Legal-Medical Definition

Provides clarity for medical and legal practitioners.
Prevents criminal and civil liability, particularly related to:
- Prematurely declaring someone dead to harvest organs.
- Refusing to remove life support from a brain-dead patient.

Death in Religion

Often seen as something beyond a biological/medical event.
Belief in an afterlife changes the perception of death as a transition.

Existential Definition of Death

Transition from being to non-being.
"To be" = to have possibilities. "Not to be" = loss of all possibilities.
While alive, we are temporal beings with possibilities.

Existentialism

"Existence precedes essence." This means:
- The focus isn't placed on the afterlife.
- There is an increased emphasis on human limitations (temporality, finitude).
- Anxiety is a major concern for human beings.
We become anxious about the possibility of non-existence.
We also become aware of our freedom to choose who we are.

Existentialism and Death

We recognize the importance and value of life upon realizing death is a possibility.
Anxiety is caused by death because it has no object, it is anchored in the unknown.
Two ways of dealing with this existential anxiety: face it, or run away from it.

Otherworld

Nietzsche criticizes the belief in an afterlife, arguing it detracts from focusing on concrete, real-life matters.
Any form of afterlife is fiction and a distraction from human affairs.
Kierkegaard (considered the Father of existentialism) states that the afterlife is a concern of faith, not reason.

Anxiety

Many existentialist thinkers consider death as the root of anxiety.
Tillich: Anxiety is "the existential awareness of non-being." This means that awareness of non-being as part of our own being is what causes anxiety.

Meaning of Life in Death

Recognizing death as a possibility helps us realize the value of our lives.
Death reminds us to live, to cherish what we have, and to value what we are.

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Description

Explore the complex ethical arguments surrounding euthanasia and suicide, rooted in natural law, theological, and psychological perspectives. This quiz challenges your understanding of moral principles and the role of physicians in end-of-life care.