Given the Following Position on Euthanasia (Doctor-Assisted Suicide), Identify Which

question 57

Short Answer

Given the following position on euthanasia (doctor-assisted suicide), identify which of the three major ethical theories discussed in the text-utilitarianism, duty theory, or virtue ethics-it follows. Note that each theory may encompass several possible viewpoints on an issue.
Active euthanasia should not be legalized; it is much too dangerous. The consequences could be devastating to our society. If we allow terminally ill people access to euthanasia, what guarantees do we have that such access won't be abused? It would be easy to imagine greedy relatives insisting that it is better for Grandma to die sooner than linger in pain, or to imagine Grandma choosing to die sooner so she won't cost the family a lot of money. Overall, access to euthanasia may cause terrible unhappiness.

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Definitions:

Emotionally Literate

The ability to understand and express feelings effectively, recognizing one's own emotions and those of others.

Nonverbal Behavior

Communication without the use of spoken language, involving gestures, facial expressions, body language, and other physical cues.

Catharsis

The process of releasing and thereby providing relief from strong or repressed emotions, often through art, dialogue, or therapy.

Reducing Anger

Strategies or techniques used to decrease feelings of anger and its physiological and psychological effects.