Lecture 13: Euthanasia (Callahan)

Philosophy 356 with Allhoff at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

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By: Kristina Brooks
Created: 2010-12-15
Size: 17 flashcards
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What does Callahan think that the euthanasia debate is emblematic of?

Three significant turning points in Western thought

-Potential turning poing in the legitimate condition under which on person may kill another

-Counter a widespread practice to limit conditions under which people may be killed

-Turning point in the "meaning and limits of self-determination"

Why does Callahan believe the allowance of VAE is a turning point in the conditions under which one person may kill another?

Believes VAE will authorize "consensual adult killing"; it gives one adult the right to kill and it gives another adult the right to be killed

Why does Callahan believe the allowance of VAE would counter the practice to limit conditions under which people may be killed?

Can no longer kill for theft, insubordination, etc. and capital punishment also seems to be on the way out

-Thinks that adding another category of murder is questionable given this trend to remove permissible categories of murder

Why does Callahan believe that the allowance of VAE represents a turning point in the "meaning and limits of self-determination"?

By granting individuals the right to exercise their self-determination in a way that has been disallowed places a tremendously high value on autonomous choice

-Newfound priority for autonomy can sacrifice other societal goals, such as trust in the medical profession

Why does Callahan worry about autonomy undermining practitioners and institutions

Forced to reconcile apparent incompatibility between preserving life and condoning death, and doctors may be psychologically fragmented by the different services that they will now be expected provide

What four arguments does Callahan take on that support a legalized practice of euthanasia?

1. Moral considerations of self-determination and patient well-being

2. Moral irrelevance of the distinction between killing and letting die; philosophers think that the permissibility of VPE entails the permissibility of VAE

3. Lack of evidence to suggest that there would be harmful effects of legalized euthanasia

4. Compatibility of euthanasia and the medical practice

What does Callahan grant regarding self-determination?

Grants that it is an important value; however, questions how one can extend the right to die and furthermore how it could grant some third party (i.e. a doctor) the right to kill

What reasons does Callahan give to support the idea that the right to life is not something that can merely be waived or forfeited?

-Selling oneself into slavery and practices of dueling have both been outlawed

-Burden should be on the euthanasia proponent to show why the right to life can be forfeited and the right to kill conferred

Why does Callahan use the practices of slavery and dueling as support for his argument?

The outlawing of these practices show insufficient respect for the dignity of life

What response does Callahan give to those that deny the distinction of killing and letting die?

Believes that there is a difference, and that those who deny it confuse causation and culpability

What does Rachel's previous example about the uncles show?

Culpability is the same, but not causation

What documents does Callahan cite to counter defenders that argue that there is no reason for pessimism?

Data from Netherlands

What consequences does Callahan believe will occur as a result of the Netherlands study?

-Inevitably be some abuse of the law

-Indescribably difficult to construct helpful and precisely written legislation, and enforcement will also be a logistical hazard

-Such permissibility will allow for slippery slopes

-Doctors may violate the laws by illegally practicing NE

What are some logistical difficulties that Callahan proposes would occur?

-Law must necessarily make use of subjective terms (terminal illness, unbearable pain)

-Interpretation would always fall into the hands of different and fallible physicians

-Enforcement would be difficult (ex: 10% of doctors report their application of euthanasia)

What slippery slopes does Callahan propose would occur under the idea of self-determination?

Do not need terminal disease, tremendous suffering, or anything else to authorize the right to die; anyone could choose death and demand it

-VAE on this ground will ensure the moral permissibility of al requests for death by competent individuals and restrict requests to euthanasia

What slippery sloes does Callahan propose would occur under the idea relieving suffering?

Permissibility of VAE would suggest permissibility of NAE--why should those without volition be forced to suffer?

What problems does Callahan propose would occur within medical practice?

-Doctors are most properly conceived of as healers and the addition of "killer" would have tremendous effects

-It may change how the public viewed the medical establishment and most likely lead to distrust

-Affect doctors' own self-images; may take healing less seriously

About this deck

By: Kristina Brooks
Created: 2010-12-15
Size: 17 flashcards
Views: 11

About StudyBlue

“I have used this website for three exams, and I see a huge difference in my test results.”
Naj