Philosophy Essay, Research Paper
Michelle Dello-Russo
073-66-3337
Trish McGee
0202
Question 2
Legalize Active Euthanasia
I believe that the law should be changed to allow active euthanasia because it is a person?s freedom to determine their time of death if given the opportunity. This paper will discuss what it is like to lose a person through a painful death and how the good consequences of legalizing active euthanasia outweigh the bad consequences. It will further examine the moral permissibility and the question of adopting social policy that sanctions active euthanasia.
Watching a person suffer from a terminal, painful disease is one of the worst experiences I ever went through. My grandmother had stomach cancer and was diagnosed too late to even attempt to save her. She lay in a hospital bed for the last three months of her life not knowing when her last day would come, only waiting for the pain killers to take effect. She could not eat any food because the cancer would eat anything she put in her stomach, so along with dying of cancer she was starving to death. She died a week before my birthday after months of pain. I only went to visit her once because just looking at her frail frame hurt, she wasn?t the same grandma I had all my life and she just looked so tired and in so much pain. The night before she died she told one of her friends that she could not fight anymore, the next morning the fight ended.
If active euthanasia were an option then my grandma would not have had to suffer as much as she did. She would not have had to go all those weeks in extreme pain; she would have been able to take a lethal dose of medication and could have died peacefully and quietly with all her dignity in hand. There are so many good consequences to legalizing active euthanasia and in my opinion they outweigh the bad consequences.
Self-determination, or autonomy, plays a crucial role in one?s life. Self-determination provides people with the opportunity to make their own decisions based on their own values and beliefs. Self-determination further provides people with the chance to take responsibility for their lives (Brock 165). People think ahead about the last years of their lives. This thought can put a lot of fear in one?s mind, not only the fear of pain and suffering, but the fear of losing all one?s dignity to a dreadful disease. All that a person wants to do as death approaches is come up with a way that preserves the quality of life, allows dignity to be kept, and do all that is humanly possible to avoid a great amount of suffering (Brock 165). Self-determination is what gives them this chance, but without legalizing active euthanasia then they are not able to carry out their decision to end their life with the help of a physician. Every person has responsibility for their life and their life alone. If someone is dying and are in extreme pain then they have the choice to be hooked up to machines or to have a lethal dose of medication, no matter what, it is the patients decision, not the governments.
Another supporting factor to legalizing active euthanasia has to do with physicians and the legalities that they are restricted to. Is active euthanasia was legalized than physicians could provide them at a patient?s request. Providing active euthanasia to the American people would give them a sense of reassurance, sort of like a security blanket. It would assure them that if they were to get fatally ill and be in sufferable pain that there would be a way out. Even if a majority of the population choose not to exercise their right to active euthanasia at least the choice would be there if it were legalized. Active euthanasia would be particularly useful when a person is dying and there is not curable treatment then the doctor should have another option to present to the patient. Right now doctors are not legally allowed to offer euthanasia, no matter what condition the patients are in or no matter how bad the doctor feels for the patient, they cannot offer them the only escape. Physicians are the person that someone goes to if they were sick, so if a patient was dying and wanted to exercise euthanasia then the first person they would go to for help would be their physician. If someone is going to die then they would want their physician there because that would provide them with the guarantee that the suicide/euthanasia will not go wrong and that their wanted end result will happen. The physician can also provide them with a guaranteed, painless death.
The third and probably most powerful argument for legalizing active euthanasia would be the prevention of the pain and suffering that terminally ill patients go through. If a patient can take a medicine that would prolong their life and help with the pain then they should take it. But if there were nothing left then resulting to euthanasia would be the only way to escape from the suffering. It is an argument of mercy and is one of the strongest arguments for legalizing active euthanasia (Brock 170). People can say that there is always something that you can do to relieve pain but one will not really know until they are the patient and the one who is in pain.
There are bad consequences that come with legalizing active euthanasia. The biggest argument probably being the slippery slope saying that there will be a generalization of cases and it could unleash the nasty side of human nature. It says that doctors will get used to killing patients and will end up abusing the right to active euthanasia. There is also the risk that people will see it as too expensive to keep patients in a hospital so physicians and family members will recommend euthanasia to the ill. I believe that these things will not occur because there will be an extensive program to determine if the patient is competent and if the euthanasia is the last possible treatment. I would recommend that two psychiatrists should talk to the patient and determine their competence and the results of all of the other medications they have taken. If the patient is found in the right frame of mind and there are no other curable treatments then active euthanasia would be the best escape from their world of suffering.
Moral permissibility is a big question in the legalizing of active euthanasia. People believe that active euthanasia is the killing of an innocent human being but I believe that it is two people participating in the death of a person. It may be the physician who commits the last action but the process and the idea comes from the patient. It is said to be morally wrong to kill a person but it is not morally permissible to watch a person suffer in pain and anguish for the last days or even hours of their life. If the patient wants to die then they should be supported. It is morally permissible to help another human carry out their dying wish, we may not see it as the right choice but it is not our choice to make. Euthanasia is morally permissible, it does involve death but it is not killing because the patient is dying and is most likely suffering from extreme pain, all the physician is doing is letting a person die in a quicker way. The patient was going to die no matter what; it is just a matter of time and how much the patient has to survive before reaching death.
We should adopt a social policy that sanctions active euthanasia because people deserve the right to determine the time and the conditions under which they die. Death is a person?s last impression they leave on the people they know, most people want it to be dignified. Active euthanasia provides them with this opportunity but in order to give this opportunity we must make active euthanasia a social policy. People are concerned that it will have a bad effect on society but it will provide members of society with the chance to end all pain. Sanctioning active euthanasia will have more benefits than bad as I showed above. It is the right thing to do because it will protect patients from suffering and it will protect families from having to watch one of its members die in a slow painful process.
I believe that the law should be changed to allow active euthanasia. Active euthanasia is morally permissible and should be sanctioned as a social policy. It allows people to die on their own terms and may be easier on the patient and on the family. I don?t know if my grandmother would have considered euthanasia but I do wonder how much pain it would have protected her from.
Bibliography
Brock, Dan W. ?Voluntary Active Euthanasia: An Overview and Defense?. Hastings
Center Report 22. March/April 1992. Pgs 163-179. 1992.
Другие работы по теме:
Philosophy Values Essay Research Paper VALUESEveryone has
Philosophy: Values Essay, Research Paper VALUES Everyone has their own set of values, ?socially shared conceptions of what is good, desirable, and proper or bad.? ? Our values influence our orientations, actions, reactions, and interpretations, so being totally objective is out of the question. But it is still important to keep an open mind.
Vedic Philosophy Essay Research Paper Vedic philosophy
Vedic Philosophy Essay, Research Paper Vedic philosophy, based on my understanding, has two main concepts. The first is the human?s real nature is divine and the second concept is that the aim of human life is to realize this divinity.
Philosophy Essay Research Paper Soren KierkegaardSoren Aabe
Philosophy Essay, Research Paper Soren Kierkegaard Soren Aabe Kierkegard was a Danish philosopher and religious thinker. He was born in Copenhagen on May 5, 1813. He was the youngest of 7 children. Kierkagaard had a disability that restricted him from playing with kids his own age. Because of this, he spent a lot of time with his father.
Stoicism Essay Research Paper Stoicism was the
Stoicism Essay, Research Paper Stoicism was the most influential philosophy in the Roman Empire before Christianity came about. Stoics believed that happiness could not be attained by material things. However, making the right choices and showing wisdom could attain true freedom. They thought that by not giving in to your desires you would be happier than if you did give in to them.
Philosophy
– Society Needs Essay, Research Paper Martin Ziegler Mr. Newton English 12 Block 3 5 December 2000 “To construct an adequate philosophy of life is one of the aspirations of every sensitive and reflective human being.” (Fink 1). People create their own philosophys about life through the expiriences that they live through.
Offensive Philosophy
– The Last Draw Essay, Research Paper Offensive Philosophy In the offensive side of my basketball program there are a few main factors that all my players must be able to execute to remain
An Analytical Definition Of Philosophia Essay Research
Paper Men and women have tried for years to define Philosophy. One particularly interesting attempt was made by Martin Heidegger in the late 8th Century. He is reported as saying to his good friend and lover, Patrick Hurley, “Philosophy is one large search for the being-upon another and one long journey into the being-inside.” In this sense, Philosophy is best understand as a search.
Reflective Essay About Rite Of Passage Essay
, Research Paper Reflective Essay “Do things because you can, not because you should.” (P.155) In the book Rite of Passage by Alexei Panshin there is a philosophy, in the fake universe, that says that people should do things because they can, not because they should. I think it is basically saying that if we know we can get away with things, go for it.
SAINT PETER CLAVER Essay Research Paper Angel
SAINT PETER CLAVER Essay, Research Paper Angel Mendoza Saint Peter Claver St. Peter Claver was born at Verdu, Catalonia, Spain, in 1580. He descended from a very distinguished family . When
Nazi Essay Research Paper John Mendes 83000Critical
Nazi Essay, Research Paper John Mendes 8/30/00 Critical Thinking Philosophy 100 Singer?s Final solution Singer and the Nazis both took away the rights of other human beings. Both men took away rights because of physical ability, self-awareness, or intelligence.
Philosophy Of Life Essay Research Paper Philosophy
Philosophy Of Life Essay, Research Paper Philosophy of Life Philosophy is often defined as the study of a system of beliefs and the justification for those beliefs. A philosophy of life usually discusses the what and why of life. What is life, what are the elements of life? Why are we here, why do things happen the way they do? What should I do now? What should I do next? These are essential questions urging essential answers that determine a person’s success and happiness in life.
Philosophy On Life Essay Research Paper My
Philosophy On Life. Essay, Research Paper My philosophy on life begins with the subject of death, which infact terrifies most people. Many people believe after you die you go to ‘heaven’ or ‘hell’, my opinion is similar but in a way different. I believe that there is certainly an afterlife but not as limited to those two fictional places.
Philosophy Goal In My Life Essay Research
Paper PHILOSOPHY: I have a goal in my life… to read and understand the works of the greatest philosophers of all cultures. For now, I am trying to get more familiar to them, to their ideologies. Nietzsche is the one I strongest admire at the moment, for the strength he proves to have in everything he writes
Philosophy Of Education Essay Research Paper Philosophy
Philosophy Of Education Essay, Research Paper Philosophy of education Being a teacher is something that I’ve thought about my entire life. Wanting to be a teacher is a different story. It took me a few years before I realized that teaching is what I wanted to do. I never thought I could be an educator. It is almost a powerful feeling knowing that I can change the lives of so many students.
Ben Franklin Essay Research Paper michelle92400Ben FranklinBenjamin
Ben Franklin Essay, Research Paper michelle 9-24-00 Ben Franklin Benjamin Franklin, was an American printer, diplomat, scientist and philosopher who made many contributions to the American Revolution and the newly form Federal Government that followed. Today, he is recognized as one of America’s greatest inventors.
Philosophy A Comprehensive Definition Essay Research Paper
The word ?philosophy,? by definition, is extremely vague and ambiguous. It can be related to anything to do with thought, perception, and even basic human existence. Therefore, in defining philosophy, perhaps it is easier to simply state what it may or may not involve rather than trying to find a concrete and simplified definition.
Review For Midsummer
’s Night Dream Essay, Research Paper Midsummer s Night Dream is a play based movie. The play was written by William Shakespeare an then directed by Michael Hoffman. Some of the exceptional actors and actresses were Michelle Pfeiffer, Calista Flockhart, and Kevin Kline. William Shakespeare wrote this play in the 16th century to be performed in Athens, Greece.
Philosophy Of Science Essay Research Paper When
Philosophy Of Science Essay, Research Paper When I was a young student I never thought of science as being significant enough to have a personal philosophy on the subject. However as a future teacher I have realized that it is a subject of great importance which needs to be contemplated. When I began to think about what science is, I realized that science is in our everyday lives and all around us.
Transcendentalism Essay Research Paper Various authors have
Transcendentalism Essay, Research Paper Various authors have talked about the transcendentalist philosophy, have written many essays, poems, ECT. Transcendentalism is a philosophy that is practiced by few because of its drastic views. It is a difficult task to succeed; many people have found it difficult to go against society.
Untitled Essay Research Paper As John Stuart
Untitled Essay, Research Paper As John Stuart Mills, I believe that my philosophy on government will satisfy the needs of the society. Throughout the 1880?s people have revolted under the circumstances that the government is focused on the society and the individual. My system focuses on liberty, meaning the rights and principles of the individual of a society.
Child Development Essay Research Paper The InfantToddler
Child Development Essay, Research Paper The Infant/Toddler program at Citrus College is a Community base program and follows Title 5 regulations. The philosophy of the Infant/Toddler program follows the teachings of Magda Gerber who taught to respect everything the child does and most of their philosophy comes from the WestEd training.
The Republic By Plato 427
– 347 B.C.) Essay, Research Paper The Republic is one of the foundational writings of Western philosophy and civilization. We see Platonic thought and Socratic methodology still vitally evolving in today’s world. Dialectic
Taoism Essay Research Paper TaoismThe Eastern Philosophy
Taoism Essay, Research Paper Taoism The Eastern Philosophy of Taoism is probably one of the earliest forms of philosophy known to man. Lao-tzu book the Tao Te Ching is the guidelines for any true follow of Taoism to live by. Taoism is a philosophy practice by one to get in accordance with nature, and to live simple.
Plato Essay Research Paper There are many
Plato Essay, Research Paper There are many ways in which the philosophy of Plato and Aristotle have reached that of that of Saint Thomas Aquinas, due to the fact that Aristotle thought the world that we live in today is the ultimate reality. While Plato thought the world that we see every day is real but is not the ultimate reality.
Taoism Essay Research Paper Taoism was first
Taoism Essay, Research Paper Taoism was first thought of by Lao Tzu. He thought that if you seek order and harmony and observe that nothing in nature strives for fame, power, and wisdom.
Classroom Management Essay Research Paper Philosophy Of
Classroom Management Essay, Research Paper Philosophy Of Classroom Management I believe that a good classroom management system is essential for any teacher who wishes to have a productive learning environment in their classroom. It is my goal to have a well managed classroom. I want to establish a productive working environment that allows student involvement and cooperation in all classroom activities.
Past Essay Research Paper Michelle Brandon My
Past Essay, Research Paper Michelle Brandon My Past: I was born in Calgary, Alberta in 1983 then in 1985 I moved to Germany. I stayed in Germany for 3 years then I moved to calgary for 2 years. Cakgary is a nice place to live it s a big city compared to Germany. Germany is a beautiful place to go, I would like to go back to Germany for a visit.
Cause And Effect Essay Research Paper When
Cause And Effect Essay, Research Paper When I was eleven years old, my best friend Michelle Baker and I thought that we would look more grown up if we started smoking. My parents smoked, so we devised a plan for me to steal their cigarettes, and then Michelle and I would meet behind K. J. Clark Middle School to smoke.
Why Philosophy Essay Research Paper Why PhilosophyAaron
Why Philosophy? Essay, Research Paper Why Philosophy? Aaron R. Nino Religion “Philosophy is simply his effort to avoid doing this in the dark,” says Robert Johann. He is referring to using his freedom to take his personal stand on everything and be responsible for the stand he takes. So what then is Philosophy? Is it to throw some light on the meaning of life as a whole, to give man some idea of what he is about.
Philosophy Essay Research Paper Philosophy Philosophy is
Philosophy Essay, Research Paper Philosophy Philosophy is an all-important aspect of our lives. It is philosophy that we turn to when have the need to seek out a guiding principle for our lives. Therefore, philosophy holds a prominent place in society and in the world. Basically, everyone is a philosopher, but it takes the creative genius and reasoning of brilliant thinkers to bring about world-shattering concepts.
My Name michelle Essay Research Paper Once
My Name (michelle) Essay, Research Paper Once I looked up the definition of my name. It said ?Who is like god?, and it is also the fem. version of Michael. When I was born my name wasn?t as simple as Michelle, it was Michelle-Leann, and later