Learning objective:
To apply Natural Moral Law theory to the topic of euthanasia.
Voluntary euthanasia
Non-voluntary euthanasia
Recap
What is Aquinas’ natural law concerned with?
Which of the 5 primary purposes is most
relevant when thinking about euthanasia?
Recap
What is Aquinas’ natural law concerned with?
Morally good actions – the goodness of those
actions is determined by the extent to which
they accord with God’s eternal law.
Natural law thinking is concerned with the
ultimate end of the person – their purpose.
Read the sheet on Catholic church teaching.
How does the teaching link to natural law
theory?
What might euthanasia be viewed as by a
natural law theorist?
An apparent good, not a real good. It fails to
recognise the greater good related to the
sanctity of life.
How could you use the doctrine of
double effect with reference to
euthanasia and assisted dying?
“Discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome,
dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expected
outcome can be legitimate; it is the refusal of ‘over-zealous’
treatment. Here one does not will to cause death; one’s
inability to impede it is merely accepted. The decisions should
be made by the patient if he is competent and able, or, if not,
by those legally entitled to act for the patient, whose
reasonable will and legitimate interests must always be
respected.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church
E.g. if palliative care is the primary purpose, even if life ends
sooner than it might otherwise as an effect. This course of
action is not considered euthanasia as the intention is not to
kill. It is classified as a Non Treatment Decision in UK law.
What do you think about this teaching?
Is it in line with the teaching of natural moral law?
Can you relate our discussion of active/passive killing to the
quote?
How useful is NML when making a
decision about euthanasia?
Create a table in your notes or a mind map with
reasons it might be a helpful or unhelpful
method of deciding whether euthanasia is
morally acceptable.
e.g. a problem with applying NML to assisted
dying and euthanasia - Natural law talks about
persons. If someone is in a coma etc. are they
still a person?
Homework – situation ethics and
euthanasia
1. Blue textbook – read p.248-249 on situation
ethics and euthanasia.
2. Make notes on why situation ethics seems to
condone euthanasia.
3. Answer: How far do you agree with Fletcher’s
position on euthanasia (write no more than
one side of A4)