Humans are free by nature. They enjoy right to self-preservation given the notion that humans themselves are the owners of their lives. This ownership of life bestows the right to make decisions on individual life solely on the owner of life; that is, the right to life and the right to die. As a result, individuals make decisions on whether their lives worth continuous existence or not on the basis of their encounter with the challenges of life, society, and health. To many, pains, agonies, indignities, and poor health vitiate good life. Therefore, continuous existence in such a situation debases the quality of being humans, according to many people. As a result, euthanasia and/or suicide are at the top of the decision ladder of such people in the above category. The question of whether or not individuals have right to end their lives by themselves or through another is subjected to moral, philosophical, and societal debates with different literature, policymakers, and professionals questioning the rationale behind the decision to end one’s life by oneself or through the help of another person. This paper aims at expanding the debate by asking whether ownership of life leads to the right to die.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Euthanasia and Suicide: the brief historical context
- Suicide: between rationalization and philosophy
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper explores the ethical and philosophical implications of the right to die, particularly in the context of euthanasia and suicide. It investigates whether the ownership of life implies a corresponding right to end one's own life.
- The right to life as a natural right
- The role of the state in protecting and enforcing the right to life
- The philosophical arguments for and against the right to die
- The historical context of the euthanasia debate
- The relationship between suicide, rationalization, and philosophy
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter establishes the premise that human beings possess a natural right to life and, by extension, a right to decide how to live their lives. It explores the historical context of these rights, considering both the natural law perspective and the view of the political state.
- Euthanasia and Suicide: the brief historical context: This chapter examines the historical development of the concepts of self-killing and euthanasia. It discusses the Nazi era's misuse of involuntary euthanasia and the subsequent debate within the American Journal of Psychiatry. The chapter also explores contrasting perspectives on the right to die, including paternalist views that emphasize the sanctity of life and anti-paternalist arguments that highlight individual autonomy.
- Suicide: between rationalization and philosophy: This chapter delves into the definition and classification of suicide, exploring the various situations, intentions, and actions that may lead to self-death. It also examines the complexities of suicide within the context of cultural and religious beliefs, particularly highlighting the case of martyrdom in Islam.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This paper focuses on the fundamental concepts of natural rights, ownership of life, euthanasia, suicide, and the right to die. It explores these themes through a lens of philosophical and ethical arguments, considering historical precedents and contemporary perspectives.
- Quote paper
- Mr. Sesan Adeolu Odunuga (Author), 2019, Euthanasia and Suicide. Does Ownership of Life Lead to Right to Die? Still on the debate, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/458019
