Moral/Ethical Implications of Euthanasia

Euthanasia refers to the act of removing gestate dusts for the maintenance of life of a person suffering from a terminal or grave illness. disrespect the negative arguments put forward against euthanasia, at least four ethical philosophies support the practice of euthanasia. Among these ar utilitarianism, Kantianism, egoism, and emotivism. Each of these virtuous philosophies shall be discussed below to provide support to the practice of euthanasia.UtilitarianismUtilitarianism is an indispensable word in the study of normative ethics, whether it is medical, legal, or other professional ethics (Merriam-Webster Online). Indeed, utilitarianism could provide sufficient arguments against or in favor of removing life support systems of one who appears to have no hope of recovery from an illness.Utilitarianism, the guess that could any save a life or relieve pain and suffering in the above situation, has been entered in the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary as a doctrine that the usef ul is the good and that the find consideration of right withdraw should be the usefulness of its consequences specifically a theory that the aim of action should be the largest possible eternal sleep of pleasure over pain or the superior happiness of the greatest number (Merriam-Webster Online).Utilitarianism is anchored on the doctrine called the Greatest Happiness Principle, which holds as morally right or ethical such actions that labor the greatest happiness for the greatest number (Mill).John Stuart Mill explained the said principle in his work empower Utilitarianism in 1863. He explained, thusThe creed which accepts as the foundation of morals, Utility, or the Greatest Happiness Principle, holds that actions argon right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to win the reverse of happiness. By happiness is intended pleasure, and the absence of pain by unhappiness, pain, and the privation of pleasure (Mill).Utilitarianism heretofore exi sts at the present as a strong argument in favor of many ethical issues, such as the propriety of euthanasia. Applying utilitarianism to such a scenario, one could argue that removing the life support system would be in accordance with the Greatest Happiness Principle. Euthanasia would be justified under this moral doctrine because it is an act that would remove pain from the patient who, on his own, could not continue living. The same decisiveness would be had if the situation is observed from the viewpoint of the patients family and friends, whose suffering would not be needlessly prolonged by the sight of their ailing loved one.KantianismKantianism is an ethical philosophical system put forward by 18th century German philosopher Immanuel Kant (The unconditioned Imperative, 2001). Kant, in his writings, presented a criterion of moral obligation that is a break away from the traditional moral philosophies of his time. Whereas traditional moral philosophies prior to his time focus ed on good character traits and the consequence of actions, Kant formulated one supreme principle of morality, which he called the categorical imperative. (The compressed Imperative, 2001).He belongs to the deontological tradition, which is believes in the ethical theory based on conformity to duty, rather than utility or practical bearing. It is thus clear that deontology is in direct opposition to utilitarianism or pragmatism. (Deontology, 2006).Kants ethical theory provides for the categorical imperative, which is the supreme principle of Morality on which moral actions are based. The categorical imperative is characterized by objectivity, causation and freedom of choice (The Categorical Imperative, 2001). In describing this standard, Kant stated , So act, that the rule on which kilobyte actest would admit of being adopted as a law by all rational beings (Kant, 1886). harmonize to Kant, this standard is the only possible standard of moral obligation (Kant, 1886).Under the cate gorical imperative, subjective considerations same(p) emotions have no place rather, morality is determined through rational considerations of necessity and obligation (The Categorical Imperative, 2001).Kant realizes that human will could be influenced by positive and negative factors, but claims that the human will stiff supreme. According to him, only rational considerations matter when deciding moral dilemmas (The Categorical Imperative, 2001).Applying Kants moral philosophy on euthanasia, it could be argued that stripped of emotional underpinnings, reason would dictate the rule that a person completely supporting on extraneous factors be relieved of his suffering, when all facts show no hope of recovery. inclined such a situation, the general rule of removing life support systems would be wholly supported by reason.EgoismAnother ethical philosophy that could be used to justify euthanasia is egoism. This moral philosophy is grounded on the notion of self-interest or welfare ( Stanford encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2002). This means that a person desires to promote his own welfare or interest in all his actions (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2002). Thus, this philosophy works in direct contradiction to the principle of altruism, which tend to minimize the maximization of ones self-interest (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2002).Egoism obviously supports the concept of euthanasia, both from the point of view of the ill persona nd his friends and family. On the part of the former, it would be for his interest to remove all his sufferings in favor of non-being. On the other hand, the last mentioned would benefit from the alleviation of worries and the deduction of expenses related to the hospitalization and medical support of the former.Aristotles Nicomachean ethical motiveFinally, another(prenominal) ethical philosophy that could support euthanasia is the one posited by Aristotle in his work entitled Nicomachean Ethics (Kilcullen, 1996). In this work, Aristotle expounded on the notion called virtue, which is is the determinant of a persons or a issues nature or character (Kilcullen, 1996). Similar to the philosophy of Kant, Aristotle gives primacy to the notion of reason in determining or attaching moral value to any act or thought (Kilcullen, 1996).Applying this philosophy to euthanasia, it could be argued that reason would support the removal of life support systems provided that the facts warrant the lack of hope for the recovery of the patient, because reason would recognize the futility of keeping support systes when there is no chance of recovery.ReferencesDeontology. (2006). Tiscali Encyclopaedia. Retrieved December 1, 2006, from http//www.tiscali.co.uk/reference/encyclopaedia/hutchinson/m0023766.htmlKant, I. (1886). The Metaphysics of Ethics.Kilcullen, R. J. (1996). Aristotles Ethics Essay. Retrieved April 22 2007, from http//www.humanities.mq.edu.au/Ockham/y67s08.htmlMerriam-Webster Online. Utilitarianism. Ret rieved April 26, 2007.Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (2002). Egoism. Retrieved February 19, 2007, from http//plato.stanford.edu/entries/egoism/The Categorical Imperative. (2001). The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved December 1, 2006, from http//www.nd.edu/rbarger/categorical-imperative.html