Euthanasia
Explore the ethical debates surrounding end-of-life decisions, from religious sanctity of life principles to secular quality of life arguments.
Sanctity of Life: Religious Foundation
Understand the religious belief that life is sacred and God-given, exploring strong vs. weak sanctity positions and how they contrast with quality of life arguments.
Quality of Life: Secular Ethics
Explore Peter Singer's secular argument that life's value is instrumental, based on autonomy, happiness, and meaningful experience rather than religious sacredness.
Voluntary Euthanasia: Autonomous Choice
Examine the ethical debate over patient-requested death, contrasting Mill's liberty principle and autonomy rights against religious sanctity arguments and slippery slope concerns.
Non-Voluntary Euthanasia: Decision by Others
Analyze Glover's consciousness criterion and Singer's personhood argument for ending lives without consent (PVS, infants), examining the Groningen Protocol and slippery slope warnings.
Natural Law & Situation Ethics Application
Contrast Aquinas' absolutist 'Preserve Life' precept and double effect doctrine with Fletcher's relativist Agape love principle, examining the Sanctity vs. Quality of Life debate.