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A Definitive Argument On Euthanasia - Term Papers

A Definitive Argument On Euthanasia

Euthanasia is a very controversial topic, one that provokes both anger and sympathy. There are considered to be two kinds of euthanasia: passive and active. Passive euthanasia is to withhold treatment and allow a patient to die of his or her given disease. Active euthanasia is to take direct action to end the patient�s life, whether it is a lethal injection or an overdose of sleeping pills. In James Rachel�s article �Mercy Killing and the Right to Die�, he outlines these two actions and argues the idea that passive euthanasia is somehow better and more humane than active euthanasia. In David B. McCurdy�s article, �Saying What We Mean�, he debates that euthanasia, whether it is active ...

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the life of one human being by another�mercy killing�is contrary to that which the medical professions stands�� (Rachel, 473) and to commit such an act would be sacrilegious. However, as Rachel points out, a strong case can be made against this philosophy. In an example given by Rachel, he shows that in a case where a patient had an incurable, painful disease, passive euthanasia would be wrong. By withholding treatment, the doctor might be prolonging the patient�s death, thereby making him suffer in terrible agony, longer than necessary. This pain is needless. Had the doctor used active euthanasia, the patient could have died a relatively quick and painless death. To say otherwise is to endorse the option that leads to more suffering rather than less, and is contrary to the humanitarian impulse that prompted the decision not to prolong his life in the first place. (Rachel, 473) Rachel indicates other incidences where active euthanasia would have been the preferable decision, ...

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A Definitive Argument On Euthanasia. (2003, December 30). Retrieved November 28, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/A-Definitive-Argument-On-Euthanasia/711

"A Definitive Argument On Euthanasia." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 30 Dec. 2003. Web. 28 Nov. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/A-Definitive-Argument-On-Euthanasia/711>

"A Definitive Argument On Euthanasia." Essayworld.com. December 30, 2003. Accessed November 28, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/A-Definitive-Argument-On-Euthanasia/711.

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 12/30/2003 05:06:45 PM
Category: Health & Medicine
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 910
Pages: 4

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