Kant And Euthanasia Essay

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A
Should we let anyone suffer from his degenerative disease or should we help him stop his suffering by helping him to end his life?

B
The debate of euthanasia can be argued with different ethical theories. Deontology and existentialism are two theories that agree the allowance of euthanasia as opposed to consequentialism and Christianity which disagree.

C
According to Kant and Kierkegaard, deontology and existentialism both supports the individual’s autonomy and the free will rather than consequences and the sanctity of life supported by consequentalism and Christianity respectively. I believe that someone’s dignity is more important than the consequences and the sanctity of life.

Body
T(Summary)
In Canada, the right of euthanasia …show more content…

When an individual is autonomous, then his or her choice needs to be respected.
Kant believes that the only thing unqualifiedly good is a good will and reject the use of others as mere means to an end.

F2 Autonomy
According to Kant, autonomy, when applied to an individual, ensures that the source of the authority of the principles that bind her/him is in her/his own will. The autonomy formula of Kant suggests that everyone “should act so that through your maxims you could be a legislator of universal laws” (Johnson). According to this formula, we should act according to principles that express the autonomy of the will (Piper).

F3 Consequentialism
Consequentialism is based only on consequences to determine if an action is good or not. In the case of euthanasia, people against euthanasia based their idea on consequentialism theory. They believe that euthanasia is not morally right because the consequences that it could generate are not morally acceptable. In their opinion, the acceptance of euthanasia of voluntary death could lead to involuntary