Moral/Ethical Implications of Euthanasia

mercy k disappointmenting refers to the act of removing bear out systems for the maintenance of life of a mortal damage from a terminal or grave illness.Despite the negative arguments charge forward against euthanasia, at least four ethical philosophies donjon the perform of euthanasia. Among these argon utilitarianism, Kantianism, egoism, and emotivism. Each of these good philosophies sh in all(a) be discussed below to provide support to the practice of euthanasia.UtilitarianismUtilitarianism is an indispensable word in the study of normative ethics, whether it is medical, legal, or other professional ethics (Merriam-Webster Online). Indeed, utilitarianism could provide sufficient arguments against or in favor of removing life support systems of unity who appears to have no rely of rec overy from an illness.Utilitarianism, the scheme that could either save a life or relieve pain and deplorable in the above situation, has been entered in the Merriam-Webster Online mental lexicon as a doctrine that the useful is the good and that the determining friendship of right conduct should be the usefulness of its consequences specifically a possibility that the aim of action should be the largest possible balance of pleasure over pain or the greatest happiness of the greatest proceeds (Merriam-Webster Online).Utilitarianism is anchored on the doctrine called the Greatest Happiness Principle, which holds as goodly right or ethical such(prenominal) actions that promote the greatest happiness for the greatest number (Mill).John Stuart Mill explained the said principle in his work authorize Utilitarianism in 1863. He explained, thusThe creed which accepts as the foundation of morals, Utility, or the Greatest Happiness Principle, holds that actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the guide of happiness. By happiness is intended pleasure, and the absence of pain by unhappiness, pain, and the penur y of pleasure (Mill).Utilitarianism still exists at the present as a crocked argument in favor of many ethical issues, such as the propriety of euthanasia. Applying utilitarianism to such a scenario, one could argue that removing the life support system would be in accordance with the Greatest Happiness Principle. euthanasia would be justified under this moral school of thought because it is an act that would adopt pain from the patient who, on his own, could not continue living. The same ratiocination would be had if the situation is observed from the viewpoint of the patients family and friends, whose suffering would not be needlessly prolonged by the sight of their suffer loved one.KantianismKantianism is an ethical philosophy put forward by eighteenth century German philosopher Immanuel Kant (The vapid Imperative, 2001). Kant, in his writings, presented a criterion of moral stipulation that is a break away from the traditional moral philosophies of his time. Whereas tra ditional moral philosophies prior to his time focused on good pillowcase traits and the consequence of actions, Kant formulated one supreme principle of morality, which he called the mat imperative. (The Categorical Imperative, 2001).He belongs to the deontological tradition, which is believes in the ethical theory based on conformity to duty, rather than utility or practical bearing. It is thus sort out that deontology is in direct opposition to utilitarianism or pragmatism. (Deontology, 2006).Kants ethical theory provides for the categorical imperative, which is the supreme principle of Morality on which moral actions are based. The categorical imperative is characterized by objectivity, author and freedom of choice (The Categorical Imperative, 2001). In describing this standard, Kant stated , So act, that the govern on which thou actest would undertake of being adopted as a law by all logical beings (Kant, 1886). According to Kant, this standard is the only possible standa rd of moral obligation (Kant, 1886).Under the categorical imperative, subjective considerations like emotions have no place rather, morality is determined through rational considerations of necessity and obligation (The Categorical Imperative, 2001).Kant realizes that human will could be influenced by positive and negative factors, but claims that the human will remains supreme. According to him, only rational considerations matter when deciding moral dilemmas (The Categorical Imperative, 2001).Applying Kants moral philosophy on euthanasia, it could be argued that stripped of emotional underpinnings, reason would dictate the rule that a person all supporting on extraneous factors be relieved of his suffering, when all facts show no fancy of recovery. Given such a situation, the general rule of removing life support systems would be wholly supported by reason.EgoismAnother ethical philosophy that could be used to justify euthanasia is egoism. This moral philosophy is grounded on th e arbitrariness of self-interest or welfare (Stanford encyclopaedia of Philosophy, 2002). This means that a person desires to promote his own welfare or interest in all his actions (Stanford cyclopaedia of Philosophy, 2002). Thus, this philosophy works in direct contradiction to the principle of altruism, which tend to minimize the maximization of ones self-interest (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2002).Egoism obviously supports the concept of euthanasia, both from the point of view of the ill persona nd his friends and family. On the part of the former, it would be for his interest to remove all his sufferings in favor of non-being. On the other hand, the latter would advantage from the alleviation of worries and the deduction of expenses related to the hospitalization and medical support of the former.Aristotles Nicomachean EthicsFinally, another ethical philosophy that could support euthanasia is the one posited by Aristotle in his work entitled Nicomachean Ethics (Kilc ullen, 1996). In this work, Aristotle expounded on the notion called virtue, which is is the determinant of a persons or a things nature or character (Kilcullen, 1996). Similar to the philosophy of Kant, Aristotle gives primacy to the notion of reason in determining or attaching moral set to any act or thought (Kilcullen, 1996).Applying this philosophy to euthanasia, it could be argued that reason would support the removal of life support systems provided that the facts warrant the lack of hope for the recovery of the patient, because reason would recognize the futility of keeping support systes when there is no chance of recovery.ReferencesDeontology. (2006). Tiscali Encyclopaedia. Retrieved December 1, 2006, from http//www.tiscali.co.uk/reference/encyclopaedia/hutchinson/m0023766.htmlKant, I. (1886). The Metaphysics of Ethics.Kilcullen, R. J. (1996). Aristotles Ethics Essay. Retrieved April 22 2007, from http//www.humanities.mq.edu.au/Ockham/y67s08.htmlMerriam-Webster Online. U tilitarianism. Retrieved April 26, 2007.Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (2002). Egoism. Retrieved February 19, 2007, from http//plato.stanford.edu/entries/egoism/The Categorical Imperative. (2001). The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved December 1, 2006, from http//www.nd.edu/rbarger/categorical-imperative.html