Rachels challenges the conventional view that passive euthanasia is permissible but active euthanasia is not . This view is endorsed by the American Medical Association in a 1973 statement. But Rachels holds that in some cases active euthanasia is morally preferable to passive euthanasia on utilitarian grounds.
What is the argument for passive euthanasia?
The grounds for passive euthanasia are, as we have seen, the interests of patients, where their expected quality of life is so poor that life will be worse for them than death . But there are many other reasons for withdrawing or withholding treatment.
Which view about euthanasia does Rachels defend?
WARNING: Notice that Rachels does not defend active euthanasia (killing), because he never defends the morality of passive euthanasia. His goal is to challenge the distinction. In a case where “letting die” is immoral, killing may also be immoral.
How does Rachels distinguish between biographical and biological life?
Rachels’ own defense of active euthanasia is based on a distinction between biological and biographical life. On this view, simply being alive is a biological reality that is not very important morally. But “having a life” is a biographical reality of utmost importance.
What point does Rachels intend to make with his example of Jones letting his cousin drown in the bathtub?
What point does Rachels intend to make with his example of Jones letting his cousin drown in the bathtub? a. The difference between killing someone and letting him or her die is not in itself a morally relevant issue.
What is an example of active euthanasia?
Active euthanasia: killing a patient by active means, for example, injecting a patient with a lethal dose of a drug . Sometimes called “aggressive” euthanasia. Passive euthanasia: intentionally letting a patient die by withholding artificial life support such as a ventilator or feeding tube.
What is the bare difference argument?
The form of this argument involves considering two imaginary cases in which there are no morally relevant differences present , save the bare difference that one is a case of killing and one a case of letting die. But in the pair of cases under consideration this bare difference makes no moral difference.
What are the 4 types of euthanasia?
There are 4 main types of euthanasia, i.e., active, passive, indirect, and physician-assisted suicide . Active euthanasia involves “the direct administration of a lethal substance to the patient by another party with merciful intent” [2].
What are the two major types of euthanasia?
Active euthanasia is when death is brought about by an act – for example when a person is killed by being given an overdose of pain-killers. Passive euthanasia is when death is brought about by an omission – i.e. when someone lets the person die.
Is DNR passive euthanasia?
DNR orders are a form of passive euthanasia , but only apply to the withholding or withdrawal of CPR. DNR directives do not affect palliative and other medical care for the patient,[7] although the latter may be discontinued in passive euthanasia cases.
What is the difference between biological life and biographical life?
As nouns the difference between biology and biography
is that biology is the study of all life or living matter while biography is a person’s life story, especially one published.
What is the meaning of biological life?
a. The property or quality that distinguishes living organisms from dead organisms and inanimate matter , manifested in functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli or adaptation to the environment originating from within the organism.
What is the main difference between non voluntary and involuntary euthanasia?
Non-voluntary euthanasia is euthanasia conducted when the explicit consent of the individual concerned is unavailable , such as when the person is in a persistent vegetative state, or in the case of young children. It contrasts with involuntary euthanasia, when euthanasia is performed against the will of the patient.
Which of the following situations is an example of passive euthanasia?
An example of passive euthanasia: Not giving medication or not performing a surgery that would save the patient’s life are instances of passive euthanasia. Make a conscious request or through a living will. Refers to a situation in which someone other than the patient makes that decision on the patient’s behalf.
What is the AMA’s position on euthanasia quizlet?
a) The AMA forbids all euthanasia but may allow doctors to stop using extraordinary means to prolong life .
Is there a moral difference between active and passive euthanasia?
‘ It is the intentional ending of a patient’s life to ease his pain and suffering (typically caused by some terminal illness). ... The prima facie distinction between active and passive euthanasia is that the former involves killing a patient, while the latter involves letting the patient die.
