Euthanasia also known as 'assisted dying' is the process of intentionally ending a very sick person's life in order to alleviate them from the suffering the disease is causing. Euthanasia is usually only used on a person with an incurable condition, however, there are other instances when euthanasia can be carried out. For Example, only a minority of suicides in England involved long-standing incurable people. 1.5 Euthanasia is significant today as many people who are experiencing unbearable pain or are having their quality of life severely damaged, see this as a peaceful option to not live through their prolonged suffering. But society is increasingly getting more of a consensus with the ratification of assisted dying, as there was a survey conducted by Dignity in Dying- an institution that advocates for a change of the current law. 1.4 This showed that over 80% of people were in favor of assisted dying being an option for people for terminally ill adults. But most importantly the survey was to show that the justice system needs to be reformed.
The Utilitarianism perspective is that it would depend on the circumstances, as Utilitarianism looks at the most happiness of the outcome. For example, if a person is going through with assisted execution the family members or close friends might be at a higher loss as they might experience bereavement.
From a non-religious perspective, the majority of atheists are in opposition to mercy killing as an atheist may recognize that there are dangers in allowing euthanasia this is known as (the slippery slope argument).
For example, the atheist commentator Douglas Murray argues 'Those who are not religious can still have many philosophical objections to euthanasia' The principal objection to euthanasia is a slippery-slope argument ' and many people profess to disdain such arguments. Nevertheless, anyone doubting the slipperiness of this slope should consider the places where euthanasia is already legal.' The slippery slope argument is an important way of refuting certain lines of thought in philosophical thinking on the grounds that there is little to no evidence meaning that you are headed down an unfortunate slope of assuming things will play out a certain way when this is not, in fact, the case.
Section 3 The overall perspective of the roman catholic church is they are in opposition to the use of euthanasia, as well as most Christians. The arguments are usually based on the belief about the importance of human life (sanctity of life). Some churches also highlight the significance of not obstructing the natural process of death.
In the bible it states1.2 'Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 This means that God owns us and not ourselves. You should treat your mind and the body with respect. But most importantly you should not try to play God with your body- not do what we wish to our own anatomy.
Christians also hold the belief that human life, in itself, is a value (Intrinsic Value). They don't think that human importance and worth are shown by the ability to move, intellect, or any accomplishments in life. Valuing human beings as coequal just because the fact they are just human has clear implications for euthanasia: -Patients who are in a minimally conscious state, although severely injured, are still living human beings, and so their importance remains equal to everyone else's so it would be wrong to treat their lives as valueless and to conclude that they 'would be better off dead' would not be a justified argument.
But Christians agree that care for the elderly or palliative care and believe it is a more compassionate solution than euthanasia. Palliative Care is defined as care caring for the terminally ill and their loved ones, especially that provided by an organized health care service.
In Conclusion, is Euthanasia ever morally justifiable? Partly Yes. As I have discussed there are various viewpoints such as the Roman Catholic Church who generally are in opposition to euthanasia as they believe in the sanctity of life and even a non-religious viewpoint such as atheism which would argue that the legalisation may lead to a slippery slope.
But I think there are some circumstances in which I think the benevolent option would be to allow human beings who are suffering, to at least have the option to end the suffering as it's a more peaceful option compared to dying of a serious illness, I have found out more information relating to the troubles people have had to go through such as Tony Nicklinson, Diane Pretty who both had suffered incredibly due to it being illegal.
But there are also other circumstances where there are issues such as when the individual cannot give consent to go ahead with euthanasia and when the individual resolution feels the need of death there is no way to rewind.