‘Sanctity of life has no meaning in twenty-first century medical ethics’. Assess this view.
Introduction
Define: Sanctity of life- The idea that life is intrinsically sacred or has such worth that it is not
considered within the power of a human being. Quality of life- A way of weighing the extrinsic
experience of life, that affects or justifies whether or not it is worth continuing life.
Importance: This question forms the basis of whether euthanasia should be allowed in the UK or
not.
Scholars: Fletcher and Aquinas
Conclusion: Agree to a partial extent that the sanctity of life has no meaning in twenty-first century
medical ethics.
Paragraph 1
Point: Agree mostly that Sanctity of life has no meaning in twenty-first century medical ethics.
Argument: Tony Nicklinson- He had locked-in syndrome after a stroke. He died after refusing food
treatment for pneumonia for a week following a rejection by the High Court of his case that doctors
should be allowed to assist his death without facing prosecution.
Tony Nicklinson was unable to die how he wants, dignified. According to Fletcher, this clearly not the
most loving thing to do because the compassionate thing to do in this individual situation would
have been to let him die peacefully, sanctity of life cannot defend such a lack of compassion.
Counterargument: Critics of euthanasia sometimes claim that legalising any form of the practice will
lead to a slippery slope effect, resulting eventually in non-voluntary or even involuntary euthanasia.
Paragraph 2
Point: The sanctity of life does have meaning in twenty-first century medical ethics.
Argument: Doctors who are experts in palliative care find it difficult to predict when death is
inevitable. Death may be extremely likely but there can be considerable uncertainty about time
frames. Patients sometimes recover, even if it is just for a time, when it is least expected. Primary
precept of natural law-preserve and protect life. Aquinas believed life was sacred and the secondary
precept forbids euthanasia in every circumstance.
Counterargument: Society has modernised the basis of religious belief should not be used to inform
decisions like euthanasia,.
Point: Sanctity of life has no meaning in twenty-first century medical ethics.
Argument: Euthanasia maximises agape and allows complex ethical decisions like this to be looked
at singularly. Rudolf Bultmann argued that Jews had no ethics apart from ‘love thy neighbour as
thyself’ which is the ultimate duty. Joseph Fletcher follows in this tradition. Agape love is the highest
end.
Introduction
Define: Sanctity of life- The idea that life is intrinsically sacred or has such worth that it is not
considered within the power of a human being. Quality of life- A way of weighing the extrinsic
experience of life, that affects or justifies whether or not it is worth continuing life.
Importance: This question forms the basis of whether euthanasia should be allowed in the UK or
not.
Scholars: Fletcher and Aquinas
Conclusion: Agree to a partial extent that the sanctity of life has no meaning in twenty-first century
medical ethics.
Paragraph 1
Point: Agree mostly that Sanctity of life has no meaning in twenty-first century medical ethics.
Argument: Tony Nicklinson- He had locked-in syndrome after a stroke. He died after refusing food
treatment for pneumonia for a week following a rejection by the High Court of his case that doctors
should be allowed to assist his death without facing prosecution.
Tony Nicklinson was unable to die how he wants, dignified. According to Fletcher, this clearly not the
most loving thing to do because the compassionate thing to do in this individual situation would
have been to let him die peacefully, sanctity of life cannot defend such a lack of compassion.
Counterargument: Critics of euthanasia sometimes claim that legalising any form of the practice will
lead to a slippery slope effect, resulting eventually in non-voluntary or even involuntary euthanasia.
Paragraph 2
Point: The sanctity of life does have meaning in twenty-first century medical ethics.
Argument: Doctors who are experts in palliative care find it difficult to predict when death is
inevitable. Death may be extremely likely but there can be considerable uncertainty about time
frames. Patients sometimes recover, even if it is just for a time, when it is least expected. Primary
precept of natural law-preserve and protect life. Aquinas believed life was sacred and the secondary
precept forbids euthanasia in every circumstance.
Counterargument: Society has modernised the basis of religious belief should not be used to inform
decisions like euthanasia,.
Point: Sanctity of life has no meaning in twenty-first century medical ethics.
Argument: Euthanasia maximises agape and allows complex ethical decisions like this to be looked
at singularly. Rudolf Bultmann argued that Jews had no ethics apart from ‘love thy neighbour as
thyself’ which is the ultimate duty. Joseph Fletcher follows in this tradition. Agape love is the highest
end.
