Euthanasia Not Morally Acceptable Essay - 1646 Words

Abstract In the following essay, I argue that euthanasia is not morally acceptable because it always involves killing, and undermines intrinsic value of human being. The moral basis on which euthanasia defends its position is contradictory and arbitrary in that its moral values represented in such terms as ‘mercy killing’, ‘dying with dignity’, ‘good death’ and ‘right for self-determination’ fail to justify taking one’s life. Introduction Among other moral issues, euthanasia emerged with modern medical advancement, which allows us ever more control over not only our life but also death. Euthanasia is an especially sensitive issue because it deals with the death and the killing of a person. In this paper, I argue that euthanasia is†¦show more content†¦In response to ‘mercy killing’, it is clear by our common moral intuition that the first premise is wrong because killing is bad. If mercy is a moral rule for advocating euthanasia, and if the purpose of granting mercy is to relieving all suffering of the dying patients, the action of killing can not be a justifiable consequence for mercy. As for the second premise, it seems to be agreeable as long as it concerns with life. However, when it comes to death, the claim that a doctor has a right to grant mercy upon a patient is questionable. According to the premise, if a doctor judges that no medical means can cure the disease and bring alleviation of the patient’s suffering, the best choice which a doctor can offer mercy upon a patient is following the will of patient and helping him or her end own life. Similarly, in the case of involuntary euthanasia, a doctor can be merciful by withdrawing any life assisting equipments from the hopeless patients, hastening a death instead of prolonging painful dying process. In comparison with euthanasia of a person, ‘mercy killing’ is applied to an animal with little opposition. It is mostly accepted on the assumption that human is in the position of granting mercy upon suffering animals, implying humans’ superiority over animals. And it is more often a reality that ‘mercy killing’ is accepted for purely utilitarian reasons. Obviously enough, an animal case is totally different from a human case. NobodyShow MoreRelated Is Euthanasia Morally Acceptable? Essay2334 Words   |  10 PagesWould it be morally acceptable to end their suffering? Questions like these are debated by those considering the morality of euthanasia, which is a very controversial topics in America. Euthanasia can be defined as â€Å"bringing about the death of another person to somehow benefit that person† (Pojman). The term implies that the death is intentional. 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