According to the dictionary, ‘Euthanasia’ means 'a gentle and easy death', but it is now used to refer to the killing of those who are incurably ill and in great pain or distress. Euthanasia is illegal in Australia and most of the world but the debate on whether or not it should be made legal for particular circumstances had been heating up for many years due to more and more cases coming into light regarding assisted suicide and active euthanasia (Exitinternational.net, 2014).
The idea that human life is sacred and special purely because it is human is an idea that Australia philosopher Peter Singer contests. Singer proposes that the right to life shouldn’t be based on the sanctity of human life. He believes it should be based on the quality of that life and that person’s wishes. Yet many people, especially the Judeo-Christians, believe that ending any human life prematurely is wrong, regardless of the situation and circumstances (Saunders, 2014). It has been considered morally wrong ever since the fifth century B.C., when
…show more content…
These mistakes will occur but if euthanasia is kept illegal on these grounds, then many will suffer where it would have been beneficial. If people were really that concerned by a few members of society dieing before their time, they should look at things like reducing speed limits or introducing harsher policies regarding firearms (Philosophicalinvestigations.co.uk, 2014). Euthanasia is for the greater good and as Singer is a utilitarian, he believes in the maximum pleasure with the minimum suffering. There is, of course, the added argument that because God is the divine ruler and creator of all, you should not end your life before he allows you to, but as this argument is religious-based and Gods existence hasn’t been proven, this argument must be