PHI 2396 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Daniel Callahan, James Rachels, Sue Rodriguez
14 Sep 2016
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As of 2008, active euthanasia is legally permissible in belgium, luxemburg, the netherlands, switzerland, the us state of oregon, the autonomous community of andalusia (spain) and thailand. In canada: euthanasia and assisted suicide is not decriminalized. The most recent bill proposal by a private mp, in 2010, defeated the house of commons. Main argument of rachel"s article: there is not really a distinction between passive and active euthanasia from a moral point of view. So if we allow passive euthanasia, we should also allow active euthanasia as well. Rachels: the medical community, as well as society in general, seems to accept passive euthanasia as legally and morally permissible. Passive euthanasia: cessation of treatment which prolong the life of a seriously ill patient. Some patients (terminally ill, suffer from injuries, congenital defects, and life-threatening medical conditions) suffer intolerable, debilitating pain; And/or anticipate the inevitable with horror (for example: sue rodriguez)
