In this essay I’m going to explain the features that characterise voluntary active euthanasia, critically analyse J. Gay-Williams arguments against euthanasia in “The Wrongfulness of Euthanasia”, look at the strengths and weaknesses of his argument then state my opinion on why I think his argument is not convincing. I will split voluntary active euthanasia up into three parts so we can better understand what it is. I have used “MedicalNewsToday.com” with help in explaining the features that characterise voluntary active euthanasia. Euthanasia basically means to take a deliberate action with the intention of ending a life to relieve intractable persistent or unstoppable suffering, also known as mercy killing. This isn’t to be confused with assisted suicide which only the means to are provided to end the patient’s life. …show more content…
Active euthanasia is when lethal substances or forces are used in a single action to end the patient’s life. Not to be confused with passive euthanasia which is to not provide any form of treatment and let the problem eventually end the patient’s life, basically sitting by and doing nothing while the patient dies. These features that characterise voluntary active euthanasia basically state when the patient consents to having a deliberate intended single action that will end their life because of some form of intractable persistent or unstoppable suffering. In The Wrongfulness of Euthanasia, Gay- Williams first of three major points is the Argument from Nature which states why he thinks all instances of Euthanasia are morally wrong because in short: • Any act of voluntary active euthanasia opposes a natural inclination of survival • Any act that opposes these natural inclinations is morally