Euthanasia and Philosopher Richard Doerflinger

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, dating back to colonial times when the very thought of suicide was abhorrent and sinful, euthanasia is one of the longest-running controversies in American society today. The author points out that Doerflinger's arguments rest in his "Slippery Slope"
musings in which he makes two primary points. (1) Legalizing euthanasia is a dangerous first step toward legalizing suicide and (2) history has proven how easily euthanasia can transform into eugenics. The paper relates that Doerflinger argues that physical life is the 'First Cause'; whereas; other people argue that freedom is the 'First Cause'.




Table of Contents
The Strength of Slippery Slopes
And the Pitfalls of First Cause

From the Paper:

"The strength of these "slippery slope" arguments rests in their very real possibilities. One can envision how concerns about "safety" could lead to the humane "putting-down" of those with a natural aversion to the sun or hemophiliacs, for example. Or what about the increased dangers of diabetes, as Doerflinger mentions? The Hippocratic Oath states that "I will not prescribe a deadly drug to please someone, nor give advice that may cause his death." But could doctors soon become compelled to abandon that oath in favor of one promoting emotional ease and relief? Could the costs of an overburdened health care system push healers toward abandoning their natural duties? Euthanasia opponents view such attitudes as an elimination of one of the most vital components of human existence: hope."

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