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Comparing Kant's Theory And Ethical Analysis

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The family priest on the other hand might have supported the Quinlans’ wish because there was no moral obligation to continue extraordinary means to sustain life when there was no hope of recovery. On the other hand, the court stated that:
“Miss Quinlan's interest in having her life-support systems disconnected exceeded the state's interest in preserving life, so long as medical authorities saw ''no reasonable possibility'' that she would recover.” (McFadden, R. D., 1985)
Regarding whether all the mentioned individuals acted rightly can be viewed differently from different philosophies/ theories. A Utilitarian perspective would hold that an act is morally permissible if it brings about the greatest happiness for the greatest number, and the …show more content…

All that matters in the making of a decision is the purpose behind it and not the consequences that follow. For a decision to ascribe to Kant’s theory, the thinking behind it cannot depend on circumstance: it must have the capability of being universalized without destroying society. Kant believed that it is our duty to preserve life at any cost and that moral decisions cannot be guided by our emotions but by ‘reasoned duty’. He claims that if humans use reasoned duty to get to an ethical conclusion that is acceptable, only then can they perform this reasoned duty. (Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals). Thus, while Karen Ann’s parents may have made a decision based on what they consider to be her right to dignity, as stated by Kant, they are doing a wrong to her and themselves as well as breaking a critical universal moral rule. Their decision to not let Karen Ann stay on the respirator is passive as opposed to active, and is an imperfect duty to themselves.
A virtuous approach to the right to die debate emphasizes less on actions and more on the character of the person who performs the action. According to virtue ethics the opportunity to choose how and when to die is not by itself sufficient to ensure a good death. Hence, euthanasia is permissible if both the individual and the caregiver possess virtues such as courage, honesty and integrity. So, if the doctors were motivated by compassion, benevolence and respect for Karen Ann, only then would the act of euthanasia be

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If this same practice is put into use in the context of physician assisted suicide and euthanasia, a line can be drawn to prevent undesirable consequences stemming from a philosophical

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This woman clearly demonstrated full autonomy and foresight during her decision to inquire about physician-assisted suicide. Based on the facts there is no indication she was not competent and of sound mind as she met all state requirements to request assisted suicide. Her statement of spiritual ties also leads us to conclude she has already evaluated the possible “consequence” of her death that may or may not apply to her religious views. Consulting her doctor about dying on her own terms demonstrates voluntary active euthanasia, which involves a social decision between two moral agents. In this situation, one being the doctor, and the other the patient.

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In Kevin t. Keith’s article “doctors should stop treatment that is futile” He addresses his argument on why doctors should should stop futile treatment in a persistent tone.which is addressed to the healthcare network and the families of terminally ill patients. He presented a fair argument with questionable facts, ok anecdotes, and substandard credibility. The facts he uses are questionable at best due to the fact that he has no backing to the facts in his argument. Such as when he states that ”most hospitals and nursing homes have tried not to refuse care...because it leads to bad publicity.”

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McGoldrick’s case. Her case focuses on two sides of one coin: living with dignity and dying with dignity. From a principlism perspective, there is tension between respecting patient autonomy – assuming decision-making capacity – and beneficence, from a clinical standpoint (9). Treatment from a ‘best-interest’ and dignity perspective differs among the various stakeholders in the case, where the family and physician believe potentially life-sustaining options must be pursued, though the patient outwardly refuses those treatments. The ethics of Mrs. McGoldrick’s wish to die and refuse treatment hinges largely upon whether she has decision-making capacity.

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The last argument that this paper will look at is the argument of double effect. In the context of terminal illness physician assisted suicide could instead be seen as a vital form of care for someone who is suffering, instead of the failure of medicine. Physician assisted suicide seems to oppose the pro-life view, but on closer examination, its purpose is instead to relieve suffering in imminently terminal cases where it is thought that no other treatment could reasonably hope to do the same. Even though traditionally the role of the doctor is seen as extending life, that role may also encompass the assistance in PAS.

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Conclusion I have argued that even though a physician killing an untreatable patient and a physician letting a patient die upon their request are both morally justifiable, the distinction between the two regarding the morality of physician assisted suicide is important because they are both justified differently. I have presented two counter arguments based on consequentialism, and argued that both of them untrue. A physician killing an untreatable patient upon their request and letting an untreatable patient die upon their request are both justifiable aspects of physician assisted suicide, and therefore it is not an important distinction to make regarding the moral permissibility of physician assisted suicide. However, it is an important

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Secondly, doctor assisted suicides might give too much power into doctors’ hand. Their approach to a patient’s condition could determine the outcome of an illness. They may find it easier to agree on assisted suicide than finding a solution to the problem. According to the oath they are all obliged to take, they have the strongest part in defending human life.

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Joseph 1 Tre Joseph 1302 Professor Jenkins 10/12/15 New York attorney Robert Applebaum’s and economist Justin Wolfers essay's debate on student loan debt applebaum’s "Debate on Student Loan Debt Doesn’t Go Far Enough”, attests that the U.S. has a financial crisis’ on it's hands and that, unless the U.S waives the present student debt(over $1 trillion) the economy will nose dive. Applebaum writes an over-passionate and panicked paper. Applebaum’s essay is absent of sensible logic, practical validity and is riddled with unreasoned assumptions. Justin Wolfer's "Forgive Student Loans? Worst Idea Ever", argues that forgiving student debt would only contribute to a financial crisis.

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John Henry Giles signed the DNR under the false belief that he was suffering from a condition called ALS which was diagnosed by Dr.Hamilton and agreed upon by Dr.Forman. It is understandable why he would not want to be resuscitated in the event that something would happen due to the miserable conditions and suffering that he would have faced as a result of the progression of this condition. The only problem was that Dr.House was the only one that disagreed with the ALS diagnosis but his argument was uncertain and unsupported. Due to the lack of testing requested by the patient and the undetermined cause of his illness the doctors that were assigned his case had to take a chance and prescribe John medications that they believed would help his

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Physician assisted suicide and/or Euthanasia is very controversial involving the topic of ethics. In ethics, when determining what is deemed substantially right or wrong, there is tremendous difficulty in finding a true black or white. To better explain, “physician assisted suicide is defined as the deliberate termination of a patient’s life by administering a lethal drug through a direct or indirect help from a physician” (Youngman, 2013). Throughout the text, what will be examined is assisted suicide influenced by the German philosopher, Immanuel Kant. Since almost every ethical issue arises when a matter concerning two remarkably different possibilities conflict with one another, the theory of Immanuel Kant may be able to find a definitive solution to this concerning ethical issue pertaining to euthanasia and/or physician assisted suicide.

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Assisted suicide is a rather controversial issue in contemporary society. When a terminally ill patient formally requests to be euthanized by a board certified physician, an ethical dilemma arises. Can someone ethically end the life of another human being, even if the patient will die in less than six months? Unlike traditional suicide, euthanasia included multiple individuals including the patient, doctor, and witnesses, where each party involved has a set of legal responsibilities. In order to understand this quandary and eventually reach a conclusion, each party involved must have their responsibilities analyzed and the underlying guidelines of moral ethics must be investigated.

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Immanuel Kant’s humanity formulation of the categorical imperative asserts that one should “act in such a way that you always treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, never as a mere means, but always at the same time as an end.” In Kant’s humanity formulation, humanity is all persons, mere means is using a person a “tool” without dignity and respect, and as an end means treating a person with dignity and respect. The conditions of the contract made between William and Elizabeth Stern and Mary Beth Whitehead are not morally permissible in Kant’s ethical theory because such a contract does not respect the dignity of the baby. The contact does not respect the dignity of the baby because it treats her as a mere

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The possible legalization of euthanasia can cause a great disturbance in how people view life and death and the simplicity of how they would treat it. "There are many fairly severely handicapped people for whom a simple, affectionate life is possible." (Foot, p. 94) As demonstrated, the decision of terminating a person 's life is a very fragile and difficult one, emotionally and mentally. Nevertheless, it’s a choice we can make if it is passive euthanasia being expressed.

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The Death with Dignity Act has two arguments: those who believe we have the right to choose how and when we die, and those who believe we do not possess that right; that we should not interfere with the natural order of life. Every year, people across America are diagnosed with a terminal illness. For some people there is time: time to hope for a cure, time to fight the disease, time to pray for a miracle. For others however, there is very little or no time. For these patients, their death is rapidly approaching and for the vast majority of them, it will be a slow and agonizing experience.

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Life or Death Who chooses death over life? Sometimes we have to make this decision over a loved one when there is no hope for their recovery. It would be incredibly hard to make this life or death decision on another human being and twice as hard when it is someone we love. The author discusses the argument of this controversial topic of sustaining life at any cost or dying peacefully as an ethical issue. An ethicist, a person who specializes in or writes on ethics, can provide valuable discernment with respect to right and wrong motives or actions.

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