Physician-Assisted Suicide, the Doctrine of Double Effect, and the Ground of Value
Article Abstract:
Arguments for the use of physician-assisted suicide have been proposed on the grounds that death is the lesser of two evils, or release from suffering is better than life of suffering. Objections to those articles have been raised on the grounds that life contains a value greater than one person. The qualitative difference between relating to other people and relating to oneself must be included in discussions of the right to die. The issue can also be looked at from many perspectives regarding physician's responsibility, Kantian philosophy, reductio arguments, and comparing suicide with slavery.
Publication Name: Ethics
Subject: Philosophy and religion
ISSN: 0014-1704
Year: 1999
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Sex, Suicide, and Doctors
Article Abstract:
Arguing against physician assisted suicide by making an analogy between physician's responsibility not to seduce patients for sex and the responsibility not to decide a patient's mortal fate is faulty. Conditions of consent, inappropriate attitudes, temptation, and a patient's need for self-revelation are not equally found in both scenarios. Physician-assisted suicide may not be a case of a doctor controlling a patient but putting the control in the patient's hands.
Publication Name: Ethics
Subject: Philosophy and religion
ISSN: 0014-1704
Year: 1999
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic: