SOCI320 - Ethical Issues Surrounding Death

Soci320 14a

Ethical Issues Surrounding Death

When is a person dead? How do we define death? Do people have a right to die? This issue becomes convoluted when attempting to revive a person or artificially sustain them. Death is, legally speaking, an irreversible state involving no response to stimulation, no movement or breathing, no reflexes, and no sign of brain activity. A living will states a person’s wishes about being kept on life support, attempts for revival, medication, feeding, and more, in case they cannot speak for themselves.

Mercy killing is the common term for euthanasia. Euthanasia is when someone is provided assistance that helps them die. It’s a dilemma because if someone provides assistance, they are both killing a person and providing mercy. Supporters of active euthanasia argue that there are some conditions so painful that a person should have the right to a doctor-assisted, speedier death. People who oppose this worry about the possibility that people could be killed prematurely, or that family members will encourage assisted death to avoid medical bills.

Five Arguments For Euthanasia (3:16)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaeKzLkZUrA

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Five Arguments Against Euthanasia (3:16)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jMuNSJuJo4

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You don't have to watch the videos to consider this question. Are there circumsta