Physician assisted suicide has become one of the most contentious ethical issues in the United States of America. The current debate over whether euthanasia (physician-assisted suicide) should be legalized or not has evoked unprecedented controversy in the society because in this practice seems to encompass some ethical problems. Interestingly, physician-assisted suicide seem to have been used as a useful medical approach over a long time, even before the emergence of the controversial debate that seems to be assuming divergent directions day-by-day. It is also amusing to learn that those who are involved in the physician-assisted debate are not the beneficiaries of the practice. Initially, the precepts of the physician-assisted suicide imply that a terminally ill individual can request for a painless termination of his or her life, solely out of the individual’s wishes. In addition, relatives to the ailing individual can request for the termination of the life of their loved one to avoid unnecessary agony and suffering. Moreover, the decision to terminate the life of a terminally ill individual can be made by the physicians depending with the severity of the disease condition. All these precepts agree with the terms of euthanasia, which defines it as “easy death” according to the Greeks who called it euthanatos.
Physician-assisted suicide issue has turned out to be an ethical dilemma among the U.S population because; there is no universal explanation which is provided by the popularly known normative theories. These theories address the issue of physician-assisted suicide from diverse perspectives, leading to the observed ethical conflict. The other aspect of the physician-assisted suicide lies within the medical ethics. Physicians seem to be tied up by the medical ethics especially through the Hippocratic Oath, and yet they are ought to facilitate the practice. Therefore, this critical paper discusses euthanasia and its ethics.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Ethics of Physician Assisted Suicide
- Physician-Assisted Suicide and Medical Ethics
- Potential Harms of Physician-Assisted Suicide
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to discuss the ethical dilemmas surrounding physician-assisted suicide (PAS) in the United States. The discussion centers on the conflicting perspectives arising from established ethical frameworks and the implications for medical practice.
- The ethical conflict between societal norms and medical advancements in the context of PAS.
- The tension between the Hippocratic Oath and the practice of euthanasia.
- The challenge of establishing universal ethical guidelines for PAS, considering the diverse perspectives on the right to life and death.
- The potential for abuse and unintended consequences in the implementation of PAS.
- The role of family members in the decision-making process regarding PAS.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by outlining the contentious nature of physician-assisted suicide (PAS) in the United States. It highlights the lack of universally accepted ethical frameworks to guide this practice and introduces the central ethical questions that form the basis of the ongoing debate: the right to die, the physician's role, and the implications of allowing others to make life-or-death decisions for individuals. The chapter emphasizes the historical use of PAS and its evolving context within modern medicine and societal norms.
Ethics of Physician Assisted Suicide: This chapter delves into the core ethical questions surrounding PAS. It examines the conflicting viewpoints on whether it is morally acceptable to end one's life, the ethical responsibilities of physicians in facilitating such an act, and the justifications for allowing others (family members) to make this decision for a terminally ill individual. The conflict between societal views on suicide and the evolving medical approaches to end-of-life care is explored. The chapter emphasizes the lack of clear answers to these questions and highlights the ambiguity inherent within current ethical frameworks.
Physician-Assisted Suicide and Medical Ethics: This section focuses on the inherent conflict between the practice of physician-assisted suicide and the Hippocratic Oath, a cornerstone of medical ethics. It examines the ethical dilemma physicians face when balancing their obligation to preserve life with the potential to alleviate suffering through euthanasia. The chapter highlights the tension between the traditional medical perspective of preserving life at all costs and the increasingly accepted practice of palliative care aimed at enhancing the quality of life in the face of incurable illness. The chapter analyzes the implications for the physician's professional code of conduct.
Potential Harms of Physician-Assisted Suicide: This chapter explores the potential negative consequences of legalizing physician-assisted suicide, particularly the risk of involuntary euthanasia where the individual's wishes are not considered. It discusses the possibility of relatives using PAS for their own benefit rather than the patient's, leading to the death of innocent individuals against their will. The chapter also highlights the uncertainty regarding the motives of those requesting PAS on behalf of others, raising concerns about the potential for misuse and abuse of the system, leading to adverse moral and societal consequences.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Physician-assisted suicide, euthanasia, medical ethics, Hippocratic Oath, ethical dilemmas, societal norms, end-of-life care, involuntary euthanasia, moral consequences, patient autonomy.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview on Physician-Assisted Suicide
What is the main topic of this document?
This document is a comprehensive preview of a paper that analyzes the ethical dilemmas surrounding physician-assisted suicide (PAS) in the United States. It examines the conflicting perspectives arising from established ethical frameworks and their implications for medical practice.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the ethical conflict between societal norms and medical advancements in the context of PAS; the tension between the Hippocratic Oath and the practice of euthanasia; the challenge of establishing universal ethical guidelines for PAS; the potential for abuse and unintended consequences; and the role of family members in decision-making.
What are the chapter summaries provided in the preview?
The preview includes summaries of an introduction outlining the contentious nature of PAS and introducing central ethical questions; a chapter delving into the core ethical questions surrounding PAS and examining conflicting viewpoints; a section focusing on the conflict between PAS and the Hippocratic Oath; and a chapter exploring the potential negative consequences of legalizing PAS, including the risk of involuntary euthanasia and potential abuse.
What are the objectives of the paper?
The paper aims to discuss the ethical dilemmas surrounding physician-assisted suicide (PAS) in the United States, focusing on the conflicting perspectives arising from established ethical frameworks and the implications for medical practice.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Keywords include Physician-assisted suicide, euthanasia, medical ethics, Hippocratic Oath, ethical dilemmas, societal norms, end-of-life care, involuntary euthanasia, moral consequences, and patient autonomy.
What is included in the Table of Contents?
The table of contents includes: Introduction, Ethics of Physician Assisted Suicide, Physician-Assisted Suicide and Medical Ethics, and Potential Harms of Physician-Assisted Suicide.
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The intended audience is likely academics and researchers interested in the ethics of physician-assisted suicide. The preview's structured format suggests a professional, academic context.
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- Quote paper
- Patrick Kimuyu (Author), 2018, Ethics of Physician Assisted Suicide, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/387500
