“Natural law provides a helpful approach when dealing with issues surrounding euthanasia”
Discuss
Natural Law is a religious ethical theory that puts reason at the centre of moral thought and
decisions. Euthanasia is a modern practice where a person/persons can be killed on their
own terms, whether passively (switching of a life machine) or actively (lethal injection). In
terms of the practices of euthanasia and whether it should be accepted, natural law is of no
help and instead situation ethics should be adopted to the issue of euthanasia.
Paragraph 1:
• Not helpful as it ignores personal autonomy. Natural law is Deontological and
Absolutist– if actions are right or wrong in themselves, then this means that
something is always right or always wrong. Therefore, Euthanasia is either always
right or wrong (we will discover which by applying the rest of the theory). For
Natural Law, it never depends on the situation or the individual circumstances, so we
wouldn’t be able to say Natural Law would approve of Euthanasia in some
circumstances but not others. Natural law seems a rather emotionless and cold
approach to something that is so delicately controversial. Case Study Diane Pretty.
Motor neuron denied Euthanasia, dramatic affect on mental health. Controversy
from the public.
• Challenge : Protects vulnerable and prevents slippery slope. Elderly may feel inclined
to be euthanised as they see themselves as a burden to their family.
• Defend: With tight legislation around Euthanasia we could ensure that it is not
abused.
Paragraph 2:
• Natural law is also absolute and deontological, upholding the sanctity of life which
seems outdated. Relies on people being religious which many people are not.
• Challenge: some would argue that the sanctity of life is not just a religious concept,
Aquinas believed that regardless of whether or not a person believed there was a
God, Natural law still applied to them as it was innate and intrinsically we are able to
know what is right and wrong.
• Defend: In todays secular society Quality of life is valued far above sanctity.
Paragraph 3: Another weakness of natural law is that it contradicts itself. Although the
primary precepts prohibit euthanasia as it actively kills a person, the doctrine of double
effect allows it. If a doctor keeps prescribing a patient more medicine, which eventually
leads to an overdose, the is not the doctor’s fault and is permissible through the doctrine of
double effect. This is a weakness as it seems to contradict earlier teachings from Aquinas.
Challenge: However it could also be seen as strength of natural law. The doctrine of double
effect is a better developed by the catholic church in response to situation ethics ; it allows
euthanasia to certain degree as well as upholding religious aspects – many see this as
favourable and may provide a way to treat the issue of euthanasia. NL does not force ppl to
suffer as pain relief can be given if the intention is to relieve pain even if that results in the
quickening of their death.
Defence: The doctrine of double affect assumes we use the correct intentions but we never
know peoples intentions behind an action therefore it is not helpful.
Discuss
Natural Law is a religious ethical theory that puts reason at the centre of moral thought and
decisions. Euthanasia is a modern practice where a person/persons can be killed on their
own terms, whether passively (switching of a life machine) or actively (lethal injection). In
terms of the practices of euthanasia and whether it should be accepted, natural law is of no
help and instead situation ethics should be adopted to the issue of euthanasia.
Paragraph 1:
• Not helpful as it ignores personal autonomy. Natural law is Deontological and
Absolutist– if actions are right or wrong in themselves, then this means that
something is always right or always wrong. Therefore, Euthanasia is either always
right or wrong (we will discover which by applying the rest of the theory). For
Natural Law, it never depends on the situation or the individual circumstances, so we
wouldn’t be able to say Natural Law would approve of Euthanasia in some
circumstances but not others. Natural law seems a rather emotionless and cold
approach to something that is so delicately controversial. Case Study Diane Pretty.
Motor neuron denied Euthanasia, dramatic affect on mental health. Controversy
from the public.
• Challenge : Protects vulnerable and prevents slippery slope. Elderly may feel inclined
to be euthanised as they see themselves as a burden to their family.
• Defend: With tight legislation around Euthanasia we could ensure that it is not
abused.
Paragraph 2:
• Natural law is also absolute and deontological, upholding the sanctity of life which
seems outdated. Relies on people being religious which many people are not.
• Challenge: some would argue that the sanctity of life is not just a religious concept,
Aquinas believed that regardless of whether or not a person believed there was a
God, Natural law still applied to them as it was innate and intrinsically we are able to
know what is right and wrong.
• Defend: In todays secular society Quality of life is valued far above sanctity.
Paragraph 3: Another weakness of natural law is that it contradicts itself. Although the
primary precepts prohibit euthanasia as it actively kills a person, the doctrine of double
effect allows it. If a doctor keeps prescribing a patient more medicine, which eventually
leads to an overdose, the is not the doctor’s fault and is permissible through the doctrine of
double effect. This is a weakness as it seems to contradict earlier teachings from Aquinas.
Challenge: However it could also be seen as strength of natural law. The doctrine of double
effect is a better developed by the catholic church in response to situation ethics ; it allows
euthanasia to certain degree as well as upholding religious aspects – many see this as
favourable and may provide a way to treat the issue of euthanasia. NL does not force ppl to
suffer as pain relief can be given if the intention is to relieve pain even if that results in the
quickening of their death.
Defence: The doctrine of double affect assumes we use the correct intentions but we never
know peoples intentions behind an action therefore it is not helpful.
