Is Euthanasia Morally And Philosophically Justifiable

Euthanasia Institution Affiliation Date Euthanasia Do human beings have a say or rights in matters involving life or death? This leads us to Euthanasia, a controversial and emotive topic since the millennium. What does the term Euthanasia mean? Different people have derived various definitions so as to thoroughly describe the meaning of this term. In simple terms, Euthanasia can be referred to as ‘mercy killing', this is a situation whereby the life of a very sick person is terminated in order to relieve the pain and suffering of that particular person. This can either be voluntary or involuntarily. Voluntary involves a case where the patient himself consents the process be carried out. It is even legally allowed in some countries such as Belgium and Switzerland. An involuntary case arises where Euthanasia is undertaken without consent, that is, another person makes the decision since the patient is unable to decide due to a worsened condition such as a coma for instance, because the patient cannot even communicate or even be aware of what is actually happening CITATION Car06 \l 1033 (Snyder, 2006). Euthanasia is also placed under two procedural classifications, passive and active. Passive Euthanasia pertains a situation where treatments that are life-sustaining are withheld or if a doctor prescribes a dosage of strong painkillers and as a result, it ends up being toxic to the patient. This is argued as passive Euthanasia, however, some differ by arguing that it is not actually Euthanasia since there are no intentions of ending a life. Active Euthanasia practically involves using force to end a patient's life or rather use of lethal substances. It also involves anybody else who is not necessarily a patient. It mostly involves moral, religious, ethical and compassionate arguments since it is more controversial CITATION Mye95 \l 1033 (Myers, 1995). The Moral Approach to Euthanasia Euthanasia has brought up a number of moral dilemmas which are very much agonizing to the society. Has it ever been acceptable to finish the life of a fatally ill patient who is experiencing severe pain and suffering? Under what conditions can euthanasia be justified, if at all? Does there exist a moral dispute between killing someone and letting them die? These questions have brought up different arguments with different ideas that people have concerning the value of human existence and its meaning. Other arguments are even based on practical issues. A few numbers of people reckon that euthanasia should not be allowed, even if it was morally acceptable, because it can be abused and be used as a way of covering murder cases. This brings up another major dilemma as to why people prefer euthanasia. Most people argue that unendurable pain is the greatest reason that people end up seeking euthanasia. But is this argument actually viable? Taking a case example in the USA and the Netherlands, surveys that were conducted indicated that a smaller number of people than the third request for euthanasia due to severe pain CITATION Dan99 \l 1033 (Leone, 1999). They also further their argument that terminally ill individuals can have their life extremely damaged by physical fettles such as nausea and vomiting, paralysis, incontinence and difficulty in swallowing. Psychological factors have also been attached to euthanasia, depression, feeling being a burden, fear of losing control or dignity, or dislike of being dependent, are just but a few factors leading to preference to euthanasia. This leads to a contemporary debate under selected moral issues connected to euthanasia. How Is Euthanasia Justifiable? Death is considered as being the most barbaric of all words in any known language, the complete end or finality of one's life. Normally death is feared. Medicine has been known to extend life, but the same is true as it can lead to a psychological long life of torture after the loss of individual personhood. The society is being faced by extremely ethical, moral and personal challenges in handling those persons that are technically alive, but have lost the capacity to function as individuals. In most cases, these individuals are in existence due to the help of machinery and the only sign of life left in them is the heartbeat, respiration and their physical space occupancy. H. Dale Myers in his book list two cases where euthanasia can be justified. Where a competent patient has expressed his wish for this action. This involves a written will by the patient to the family doctor and to the relatives, with guidelines, indicating when medical interventions for that patient should be discontinued. California was the first state in history to admit a natural cessation of life statute and honor the legitimacy of such living wills. (Scully & Scully, 1988, p. 100). This has now made other states legitimize such kind of wills and the ‘right to die'. The other determinant second factor arises when the ...