[DOCUMENT TITLE]
Applied to Natural Law and Situation
Ethics
Workbook:
Lower Sixth Ethics
, Key Content you need to cover:
1. Sanctity of life: the religious origins of this concept (that human life is made in God’s
image and is therefore sacred in value)
2. Quality of life: the secular origins of this significant concept (that human life has to
possess certain attributes in order to have value)
3. Voluntary Euthanasia: what it is (that a person’s life is ended at their request or with
their consent) and its use in the case of incurable or terminal illness
4. Non-voluntary Euthanasia: what it is (that a person’s life is ended without their
consent but with the consent of someone representing their interests) and its use in the
case of a patient who is in a persistent vegetative state
Key questions you need to consider:
The application of natural law and situation ethics to euthanasia
Whether or not the religious concept of sanctity of life has any meaning in twenty-
first century medical ethics
Whether or not a person should or can have complete autonomy over their own life
and decisions made about it
Whether or not there is a moral difference between medical intervention to end a
patient’s life and medical non-intervention to end a patient’s life
, TASK 1:
Euthanasia and British Law [Helpful info]
Euthanasia is illegal English law.
Depending on the circumstances, euthanasia is regarded as either manslaughter or murder and is
punishable by law with a maximum penalty of up to life imprisonment.
Assisted suicide (where a deliberate attempt is made to assist or encourage
someone to commit suicide) is illegal under the terms of the Suicide Act (1961) and is punishable
by up to 14 years' imprisonment. Attempting to commit suicide is not a criminal act in itself.
Despite the law against assisted suicide… more than 100 Britons with terminal or incurable
illnesses have gone to the Swiss centre Dignitas to die and none of the relatives and friends
involved in the cases has been prosecuted. This is because the authorities have the power to use
their discretion under the terms of the act.
Euthanasia and Dutch law
Euthanasia is legal in The Netherlands (Holland)
Doctors may practice euthanasia is they follow certain guidelines. The patient is given two jabs;
first injection makes them unconscious, the second injection is lethal.
1. The patient makes a voluntary request
2. The request must be well considered
3. The wish for death is strong
4. The patience is in unacceptable suffering
5. Another doctor agrees
Part A) write a response to each of these thinking questions…
a) What is the most helpful ethical theory to apply to Euthanasia?
Situation ethics- right and wrong depending on the individual’s situation
b) Are religious people (Christians and Muslims for example) more likely to be against
Euthanasia?
Most religions disapprove of euthanasia. Some of them absolutely forbid it. The Roman Catholic
church, for example, is one of the most active organisations in opposing euthanasia.
Virtually all religions state that those who become vulnerable through illness or disability deserve
special care and protection, and that proper end of life care is a much better thing than euthanasia.
The argument that god does not forbid it is very strong. Muslims are completely against euthanasia,
as it is believed that to be a sin.
c)
Applied to Natural Law and Situation
Ethics
Workbook:
Lower Sixth Ethics
, Key Content you need to cover:
1. Sanctity of life: the religious origins of this concept (that human life is made in God’s
image and is therefore sacred in value)
2. Quality of life: the secular origins of this significant concept (that human life has to
possess certain attributes in order to have value)
3. Voluntary Euthanasia: what it is (that a person’s life is ended at their request or with
their consent) and its use in the case of incurable or terminal illness
4. Non-voluntary Euthanasia: what it is (that a person’s life is ended without their
consent but with the consent of someone representing their interests) and its use in the
case of a patient who is in a persistent vegetative state
Key questions you need to consider:
The application of natural law and situation ethics to euthanasia
Whether or not the religious concept of sanctity of life has any meaning in twenty-
first century medical ethics
Whether or not a person should or can have complete autonomy over their own life
and decisions made about it
Whether or not there is a moral difference between medical intervention to end a
patient’s life and medical non-intervention to end a patient’s life
, TASK 1:
Euthanasia and British Law [Helpful info]
Euthanasia is illegal English law.
Depending on the circumstances, euthanasia is regarded as either manslaughter or murder and is
punishable by law with a maximum penalty of up to life imprisonment.
Assisted suicide (where a deliberate attempt is made to assist or encourage
someone to commit suicide) is illegal under the terms of the Suicide Act (1961) and is punishable
by up to 14 years' imprisonment. Attempting to commit suicide is not a criminal act in itself.
Despite the law against assisted suicide… more than 100 Britons with terminal or incurable
illnesses have gone to the Swiss centre Dignitas to die and none of the relatives and friends
involved in the cases has been prosecuted. This is because the authorities have the power to use
their discretion under the terms of the act.
Euthanasia and Dutch law
Euthanasia is legal in The Netherlands (Holland)
Doctors may practice euthanasia is they follow certain guidelines. The patient is given two jabs;
first injection makes them unconscious, the second injection is lethal.
1. The patient makes a voluntary request
2. The request must be well considered
3. The wish for death is strong
4. The patience is in unacceptable suffering
5. Another doctor agrees
Part A) write a response to each of these thinking questions…
a) What is the most helpful ethical theory to apply to Euthanasia?
Situation ethics- right and wrong depending on the individual’s situation
b) Are religious people (Christians and Muslims for example) more likely to be against
Euthanasia?
Most religions disapprove of euthanasia. Some of them absolutely forbid it. The Roman Catholic
church, for example, is one of the most active organisations in opposing euthanasia.
Virtually all religions state that those who become vulnerable through illness or disability deserve
special care and protection, and that proper end of life care is a much better thing than euthanasia.
The argument that god does not forbid it is very strong. Muslims are completely against euthanasia,
as it is believed that to be a sin.
c)
