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Divine Command Theory Euthanasia

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The duty-oriented theory is an ethical system that holds that the right action is one that is based on ethical principles known to be right, independent of consequences or whether they serve good ends. This theory states that people have a duty to do the right thing even if it produces a bad result. If a patient needs lifesaving treatment, then the right thing to do would be to give them that treatment. Using the duty-oriented theory a person is to first consider what actions are right and proceed from there. Opponents of euthanasia argue that the duty based theory is not interested in results, rather than the initial thought of being right or wrong, and it could lead to a reduction of happiness. It may be in the best interest for a patient to not further treatment, with a possibility of it leading to more issues or causing an unwanted physical weakness. By looking at the bigger picture it may be best in certain cases for the physician to do the right thing by not continuing treatments and allowing the patient to decide whether or not they would like to end their life or expand it, the choice is up to them. The divine command theory is the ethical theory that something can be known to be right and good when it is in compliance with God’s will and wrong when God condemns it. We must obey the …show more content…

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Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide. (2014). Retrieved November 23, 2015, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/euthanasia/

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Jenkins, E. (2002). Euthanasia and Suicide. Retrieved November 23, 2015, from http://www.kc-cofc.org/39th/Lectures/2002 Manuscripts/Jenkins-Euthanasia_and_Suicide.PDF

Manning, M. (1998). Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide: killing or caring?. New York: Paulist

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