The Catholic Church's Argument For The Legalization Of Euthanasia

There are beliefs in Catholism that influence a Catholics ethical decision-making processes about palliative care and the use of Euthanasia to reduce one’s suffering.

More than likely, a good majority of people have heard about euthanasia at least once in their existence. For those out there who have been living under a rock their entire lives, euthanasia “is generally understood to mean the bringing about of a good death – ‘mercy killing’, where one person, ‘A’, ends the life of another person, ‘B’, for the sake of ‘B’.” (Kuhse 294). There are people who believe this is a completely logical scenario that should be allowed, and there are others that oppose this view. For the purpose of this essay, I will be defending those who are for euthanasia. My thesis, just by looking at this issue from a logical standpoint, is that if someone is suffering, I believe they should be allowed the right to end their

disease, or a person who is dying". the church says any law permitting euthanasia is a unjust

Euthanasia has been a heavily debated topic for hundreds of years, including arguments for suicide and infanticide. In ancient Rome and Greece, abortions and mercy killings were far more socially acceptable than modern states who believe in the innate value of individual human life. While this division of perspective may be brought about by the shift from paganism to monotheism, utilitarianism provides a secular approach to the morality of euthanasia. The principle of utility holds that “The morally best action or better alternative is that which produces the greatest or greater net utility, where utility is defined in terms of happiness or pleasure.” If this principle is maintained and upheld in euthanasia cases, the action would be morally justified.

Again, in the words of Girsh; “It should be as much of a crime to make someone live who with justification does not wish to continue as it is to take life without consent” (Girsh). In response to this argument, and perhaps the best reason for Catholics to support the church, is the fact that physician assisted suicide is a slippery slope to legalized murder — that the intent to kill is of utmost importance in the matter, and the moral repercussions of killing someone are irreversible (Harriss). In other words, physician assisted suicide inevitably leads to a culture of death. This claim is supported by the current state of healthcare in the Netherlands, where “Studies show that hospice-style palliative care 'is virtually unknown’” (Smith). Additionally, as a final note, it may be important to note that one of the problem with physician assisted suicide for Catholics is one of control; people want to end their own lives to be in control, but in reality, that control is supposed to be left to

Voluntary Euthanasia has been considered a controversial topic for many decades. The idea of committing an act that involves the taking of human life is not one that many people would care to discuss openly. The main argument is that a person who has been diagnosed with an incurable illness and is in extreme pain and their ability to move has been limited, while that person still has control over their destiney should they be allowed take their own life (Bowie, R.2001). The worldwide debate weather one should be allowed to end a life is still one of the biggest ethical issues. The attempt to providing the rights of the individual is in conflict with the moral values of society. Voluntary Euthanasia has been highly rejected by many religious and pro-life institutions.

Euthanasia and physician assisted suicide are both types of medical assistance aiding in ending a suffering patient’s life. This pain may be due to a terminal illness and suffering as well as those in an irreversible coma. This practice of doctor assisted suicide is illegal in many countries, but is increasing in popularity as people start to recognize the positive aspects that euthanasia has to offer for those that fit the criteria. Euthanasia is essential for those, placed in such life diminishing situations, and whom no longer want to experience suffering. This is where the issue gets complicated, and many religious groups argue that individuals should not have the legal right to choose whether they get to die or not, but that it is simply in God’s hands. Suffering patients argue that they should be given the right to choose whether or not they have to experience this suffering, to end their life with the dignity they still have, and to alleviate the stress that their deteriorating life conditions have on their families, themselves and the entire healthcare system. Therefore, despite the many arguments, euthanasia can have a very positive impact on the lives and families of suffering individuals, as well as the Canadian healthcare system.

Whilst in some instances, justice has to some extent, been achieved, this is not always the case. Euthanasia is one of the most, radically contested issues of today. Activists have continually sought law reform on this topic over the last 30 years. Yet, with similar issues as to that of abortion, it raises strong ethical and moral questions. In this case, the beliefs of those opposed have seen a halt on any reform. Meaning that justice, for those in some of the most horrific of life positions, is not being served. Euthanasia is another matter involving 'choice' and 'sanctity of life', it also continues the argument of liberal versus democratic, utilitarian perspectives. An example of the tension between these two principles is seen in comments made by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, 'the demands of common good must be measured against claims of liberties: a request for voluntary euthanasia is a request to be killed by another… Aspects of common good affected by the legislation of euthanasia include equal protection under the law,… and factors affecting an individuals sense of security a times when they are feeling particularly

Today, voluntary euthanasia is getting closer to being legalized in more than just one state in the United States. “‘Voluntary’ euthanasia means that the act of putting the person to death is the end result of the person’s own free will” (Bender 19). “ Voluntary euthanasia is an area worthy of our serious consideration, since it would allow patients who have exhausted all other reasonable options to choose death rather than continue suffering” (Bender 19). The question of whether or not voluntary euthanasia should be legalized is a major debate that has been around for years. Because the issue of whether people should have the right to choose how they want to live or die is so complex. With the advances in technology today we have made

The Catholic churches stance on Euthanasia, is one that is built up over many sources, including encyclical letters popes have issued at various times, many studies that have been published throughout the 20th century, pastoral letters that have also been issued, and even simple passages from the bible. All of these combined builds up the Catholic churches overall stance on euthanasia.

I am a member of the St Patrick's College community writing to you to let you know my perspective of Euthanasia and ask you to assist me in making an immanent change on the current way that Euthanasia is seen and taught in todays catholic society. Euthanasia is less about suicide and more about the right to have the choice to end your life. It is a more dignifying way to die than letting an illness take full control of your body, surely the catholic church would prefer for someone to die a peaceful death then live on in pain and suffering. So why does the church protest against the cause?

The deliberate act of ending another 's life, given his or her consent, is formally referred to as euthanasia. At present, euthanasia is one of the most controversial social-ethical issues that we face, in that it deals with a sensitive subject matter where there is much uncertainty as to what position one ought to take. Deliberately killing another person is presumed by most rational people as a fundamental evil act. However, when that person gives his or her consent to do so, this seems to give rise to an exceptional case. This can be illustrated in the most common case of euthanasia, where the person who is willing to die suffers from an illness that causes great pain, and will result in his or her demise in the not-so-distant future.

The ethical issue is Euthanasia, there are many groups that support or oppose this issue. Euthanasia is the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or in an irreversible coma. The different viewpoints are based around whether it is humane to assist someone in dying and whether it should be illegal for someone to assist the death of someone who has a terminal illness and are suffering incurable pain. Groups that oppose the issue generally believe that it is inhumane to end someone 's life early, these groups generally believe these people should be given care and as much comfort as possible until their last days. Groups that support the issue generally believe that if someone has lost their mental state or are suffering unbearable pain that cannot be cured, that they should be allowed the option of euthanasia because it is inhumane to make someone suffer unbearable pain if they do not need to. An ethical issue brings systems of morality and principles into conflict, ethical issues are more subjective and opinionated and generally cannot be solved with facts, laws and truth. Euthanasia is an ethical issue because there are two equally unacceptable options. It is considered wrong

Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide are actions that hit at the core of what it means to be human - the moral and ethical actions that make us who we are, or who we ought to be. Euthanasia, a subject that is so well known in the twenty-first century, is subject to many discussions about ethical permissibility which date back to as far as ancient Greece and Rome , where euthanasia was practiced rather frequently. It was not until the Hippocratic School removed it from medical practice. Euthanasia in itself raises many ethical dilemmas – such as, is it ethical for a doctor to assist a terminally ill patient in ending his life? Under what circumstances, if any, is euthanasia considered ethically appropriate? More so, euthanasia raises

Euthanasia has always been a controversial topic between the Catholic Church and society, as it is known as ‘Mercy Killing’. The Catholic Church’s perception of euthanasia is dissentient, as their strong beliefs demonstrate that it is unnecessary if ethics are followed through. However, society’s opinion contrasts, with the beliefs that it is a beneficial option for people who are undergoing a significant amount of pain or suffering. The Catholic Church believes that it can affect a person’s passage towards heaven and that it is a “morally unacceptable killing of a human person.” As is evident, the Catholic Church’s attitude strongly discourages the practice of euthanasia, therefore it is undetermined whether the increased desire for the legislation of euthanasia will ever be condoned by the church.