Single Idea 20882

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / F. Life Issues / 2. Euthanasia]

Full Idea

Passive euthanasia is arguably not killing, and the death involved is often painful, so let us take the term 'euthanasia' to mean 'either killing or passing up opportunities to save someone, out of concern for that person'.

Gist of Idea

Euthanasia may not involve killing, so it is 'killing or not saving, out of concern for that person'

Source

Brad W. Hooker (Rule Utilitarianism and Euthanasia [1997], 1)

Book Reference

'Ethics in Practice (2nd Ed)', ed/tr. LaFollette,Hugh [Blackwell 2002], p.22


A Reaction

This sounds good, and easily settled, until you think concern for that person could have two different outcomes, depending on whether the criteria are those of the decider or of the patient. Think of religious decider and atheist patient, or vice versa.