Euthanasia Debate: Reasons for and against Mercy Killing

Some call euthanasia as “physician-assisted suicide” and “playing angel of death.” Though it is a basic belief that the intentional killing of another person is wrong, euthanasia advocates claim that we also have to be seriously sympathetic for those who are tremendously suffering. So the basic dilemma here is whether or not it is immoral to end one’s suffering. (Related: What is Moral Dilemma (And the Three Levels of Moral Dilemmas))

The following reasons can be offered in support of euthanasia:

1. Euthanasia could end a person’s miserable existence. Living in an agonizing pain is suffering in an unimaginable way hence is technically no longer ‘living.’ Living is supposedly enjoying a quality and dignified life—something which is absent in those who deserve ‘mercy killing.’

2. The suggested euthanasia may also be necessary for fair and better distribution of medical resources. The medicines, hospital space, facilities, and medical attentions provided to long-suffering hopeless patients could be given to much deserving ones.

3 Especially in poor countries, many families do not have enough money to pay for the needed medical care, not knowing if their patient is going to get any better. There are cases in which families and hospitals are practically just wasting time and money considering the hopeless case of the patient.

So if the patient himself wants euthanasia, is it not thoughtlessness to let that person agonize more while his family suffers also emotionally and financially?

On the other hand, these points can be submitted against euthanasia:

1. Legalizing euthanasia is making it commonplace in medical practice. It is a very dangerous idea because it will desensitize the society toward killing. The prohibition of killing provides a solid basis for trust in the role of caring for patients and protecting them from harm.

2. Human life has always been sacred and it is our natural and inherent obligation to treat it as such. Hence, no person shall be advised, much less, be assisted in killing himself.

3. The life of a person is the basic thing that the law promotes to protect. Thus, it should not be contradicted by legalizing killing. Concerning the patient’s alleged death wish, it should be noted that a person does not usually see best when he is unhealthy and his eyes are filled with tears. Emotions and feelings do cloud our ability to make rational judgments … continue reading

ALSO CHECK OUT:
Reasoning and Debate: A Handbook and a Textbook by Jensen DG. Mañebog