Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide

Overview

Recall questions on natural moral law's opposition, double effect in pain relief, killing and letting die, and the proportionalist, situationist and virtue ethics assessments of euthanasia and assisted suicide.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   Why does natural moral law oppose voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide?

   Model answer

   Because they involve the intentional killing of an innocent person, violating the precept to preserve life.

2. 2

   Under what conditions does natural moral law permit palliative care that may hasten death?

   Model answer

   Under the doctrine of double effect, provided the intention is to relieve pain rather than to kill.

3. 3

   When might situation ethics permit voluntary euthanasia or assisted suicide?

   Model answer

   If it is the most loving response to unbearable suffering in a particular case.

4. 4

   How does virtue ethics assess euthanasia?

   Model answer

   By asking whether it reflects virtues such as compassion and mercy or whether it undermines virtues such as courage and hope in the face of suffering.

5. 5

   Why does natural moral law oppose voluntary euthanasia?

   Model answer

   It violates the primary precept to preserve life and treats human life as disposable rather than as having inherent God-given dignity.

6. 6

   How does the principle of double effect apply to administering pain relief that may hasten death?

   Model answer

   It permits this if the intention is to relieve suffering and death is a foreseen but unintended consequence.

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