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By: Ronald F. White, Ph.D. Professor of Philosophy College of Mount St. Joseph

Euthanasia. By: Ronald F. White, Ph.D. Professor of Philosophy College of Mount St. Joseph. Conceptual Framework. Euthanasia Voluntary Euthanasia Involuntary Euthanasia Non-Voluntary Euthanasia Active Euthanasia Passive Euthanasia Double-Effect Euthanasia Suicide Suicide assistance.

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By: Ronald F. White, Ph.D. Professor of Philosophy College of Mount St. Joseph

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  1. Euthanasia By: Ronald F. White, Ph.D. Professor of Philosophy College of Mount St. Joseph

  2. Conceptual Framework • Euthanasia • Voluntary Euthanasia • Involuntary Euthanasia • Non-Voluntary Euthanasia • Active Euthanasia • Passive Euthanasia • Double-Effect Euthanasia • Suicide • Suicide assistance

  3. Voluntariness • Voluntary Euthanasia- • Includes: rational competent adults • Excludes: irrational, incompetent, children • Involuntary Euthanasia • murder • Non-Voluntary Euthanasia • Proxy consent • Family, friends, physicians, legislators, governors, presidents, judges

  4. Double Effect Euthanasia • Principle of Double-effect • Motives and Morality • When an act has “double effects” • Good effect • Bad effect • Side-effects • The use of morphine in end-of-life situations

  5. Arguments in Favor of Active Voluntary Euthanasia • Argument from Mercy • “They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?” • Argument From Liberty • Self-regarding Act • Argument From Social Utility

  6. Active v. Passive Euthanasia • Active Means-(Killing) • Passive Means-(Letting Die) • Withholding: • Treatment (antibiotics) • Respirators (Quinlin Case) • Food and Hydration (Cruzan Case) • Problems with the Distinction • utility

  7. Arguments against Active Voluntary Euthanasia • Arguments Based on Divine Command • “Life is a Gift From God.” • “Thou Shalt Not Kill.” • Arguments Based on Natural Law • “Let Nature Take It’s Course” • Arguments based on Critique of Liberty • Desperation vs. Competence • Coercion • Individual • Social • Arguments Based on Utility • Slippery Slope Arguments • Voluntary, Non-Voluntary, Involuntary • Passive, Double-Effect, Physician Assisted Suicide, Active • Arguments Based on Justice • Genocide against the weak and powerless (poor, disabled)

  8. Public Policy • Court Cases • Quinlin • Cruzan • Schiavo • Euthanasia in the Netherlands • Oregon’s “Death With Dignity Act” • Zealous Advocacy • Dr. Kevorkian • Timothy Quill • Derek Humphrey’s “Final Exit“

  9. Small Group Discussion Questions • Is voluntary active euthanasia ever morally justified? Should it be legal? Is the • Is voluntary passive euthanasia morally justified? Should it be legal? Is it preferable to active? • Is suicide ever morally justified? Should it be legal? Is it morally preferable to euthanasia? • Is suicide assistance by a physician or family member ever morally justified? Should it be legal? Oregon law OK? • Is double-effect euthanasia a viable alternative? • Is there ever a “duty to die?” If so, under what conditions? • What role (if any) should government play in regulating end-of life decisions. • How does the “drug war” relate to end of life decision-making?

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