Right to Life and Human Dignity

Question: Explain the core principles of that theory.? Demonstrate how the principles of the theory support a certain position on that question.? Articulate a relevant objection to the theory on the basis of that argument.? Answer: Introduction- "End of life medical care- Euthanasia" The word Euthanasia has been derived from Greek words " Eu " and " Thanatos ". The word 'eu' means good and the word 'Thanatos' means death. Thus the meaning of the Euthanasia is a beautiful death. There are two theories of this Euthanasia. One is utilitarian theory and other is a Deontologiacl ethical theory (Collins, F. 2008). The former one stresses on the right or wrong consequences which determines morality while the latter focuses on the intent of the action such as duties, principles and respect for rights. The report would focus on the Utilitarian theory with respect to Euthanasia. The report would look at various aspects of what are the principles of this Utilitarian theory. The Utilitarian theory which is applied to "End of life medical care- Euthanasia" According to the utilitarian theory the actions which are performed for promoting the happiness of an individual is right.The actions or the activities which leads to give pain to an individual is not considered as a right. According to the Utilitarian theory the consequences should be given due importance (Stumpf, S. 1970). It is the consequence which decides that a particular act at a particular time is appropriate or not. According to this theory, if a law is broken for the happiness of the majority of people, then it is considered as a right. On the other hand Rule utilitarianism said that an individual must obey to the rule, irrespective whether it gives the greatest pleasure to him or not (Hoxhaj, O. 2014) . The idea of this rule utilitarianism is that one must follow rules that may at the end gives happiness to the community. It does not mean that a person should be allowed for euthanasia. Thus, currently there is no practical way by which what is good or bad can be measured a ccording to utilitarian theory. Principles of the Utilitarian theory and its importance. The main principle of this theory is the happiness principle. The core of this theory is that anything which is done can be justified as right if it gives maximum happiness to everyone involved. Happiness can be defined as pleasure and no pain or very minimum pain. Pleasure should be qualitative as per the theory and not just quantitative.There are other factors defining pleasure and in turn happiness, these are for how long it would be there, whether it is permanent or temporary happiness (Stuart mill, J. 2010).The principle says that we need to calculate and evaluate benefits of all the options which are available. A decision should be taken based on the best option of these benefits, As some of the options would destroy the happiness, whereas the other option might increase the happiness. While selecting the option to opt for, it is very important to identify what is the total happiness quotient involved. The Utilitarian theory and its support to Euthanasia. For Euthanasia which is the end of life, the above theory of Utilitarianism related to happiness is quite relevant. As for a human being, happiness is the most important thing in life. If a person or people close to him are not happy then there is no point of that life (Collins, F. 2008). So whenever a person has decided for Euthanasia it means that he have given a great deal of thought about how this is the best option and would reduce the suffering for everyone involved with him in this pain (Snyder, C. 2006).If the happiness quotient is higher for this option then there is no harm in going with this option, as this would reduce the stress level which is on all the people involved. From a long term prospective Euthanasia might not be a bad thing for the person as compare to whatever the person has been through entire life or even might have to undergo in the future.All the factors should be considered before deciding on Euthanasia. Relevant objections to the Utilitarian theory. Euthanasia is the end of life of a person by his own wish or it can be said that the wishful death of a person. It is very easy to say that a person will get happiness by accepting death or for the relatives attached to the person, but actually it is not that easy to decide (Varelius, J. 2013). When a person suffers from the pain of the life and the medical science has no treatment left for the disease that he has and even with the passage of time his condition becomes worse than it is actually a good decision to end such a painful life but practically it is very difficult to decide that it is the appropriate time to end the life (Stumpf, S. 1970). To give happiness to another by ending ones own life is not that easy. But it is difficult to understand how a person can get happiness by ending his own life or how the person attached to him can get happiness by his death. It is quite difficult to justify that death would give happiness to the people surrounding that person. Conclusion Euthanasia means the peaceful death that one wants when he has no option left in medical treatment. Now when it relates to Utilitarian theory, means what is right and what is wrong will be determined by the consequences that determines the morality. This report has provided details that the happiness can be given to a person who is severely ill and has no medical treatment left with which his condition can be improved. Even with the passage of time his condition becomes even worse. So in such kind of situation the wish to die is appropriate or not should be determined based on the happiness the option would provide. Also the ultimate principle of utilitarian theory which is happiness to the majority should be given due consideration before finalizing on any decision for the person.7.0 References References Collins, F. (2008). Retrieved 11 May 2015, fromhttps://www.baruch.cuny.edu/facultyhandbook/documents/FrankCollinsentryUndergraduatewinner.pdf EUTHANASIAA MEDICOLEGAL STUDY. (2001).JAMA,285(2), 144. Hoxhaj, O. (2014). Euthanasia - The Choice between the Right to Life and Human Dignity.Academic Journal Of Interdisciplinary Studies. Snyder, C. (2006).Euthanasia. Detroit: Greenhaven Press. Stuart mill, J. (2010).Siue.edu. Retrieved 11 May 2015, fromhttps://www.siue.edu/~evailat/i-mill.html Stumpf, S. (1970). Euthanasia and the Right to Death: The Case for Voluntary Euthanasia.JAMA: The Journal Of The American Medical Association,214(8), 1567. The Lancet Neurology,. (2003). Right to dieright or wrong?.The Lancet Neurology,2(10), 583. Varelius, J. (2013). Voluntary Euthanasia, Physician-Assisted Suicide, and the Right to do Wrong.HEC Forum,25(3), 229-243.