Active and Passive Euthanasia

Paper Summary:

This paper states that doctor assisted suicide in the form of passive euthanasia and active euthanasia under certain conditions are morally justified. The author reasons that this moral justification is based on the basic ethical principle that human suffering should not be prolonged by medical science simply to extend physical life. The paper relates that rational egoism, which claims that the promotion of one's own interests is always in accordance with reason, justifies euthanasia because terminally ill human beings have the inherent right to protect their own interests by refusing medical treatment.

From the Paper:

"Doctor assisted suicide in the form of passive euthanasia, and active euthanasia under certain conditions, is morally justified because of the basic ethical principle that human suffering should not be prolonged by medical science simply to extend physical life. Rational egoism, which "claims that the promotion of one's own interests is always in accordance with reason" (Mosely) justifies euthanasia, because terminally ill human beings have the inherent right to protect their own interests by refusing medical treatment. They are the moral guardians of their own lives and the ultimate authority to be considered; not doctors, lawyers, insurance companies, nor the government."

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