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Single Idea 20885

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

Full Idea

Six types of euthanasia: 1) Active voluntary (knowing my wishes), 2) Active non-voluntary (not knowing my wishes), 3) Active involuntary (against my wishes), 4) Passive voluntary, 5) Passive non-voluntary, 6) Passive involuntary.

Gist of Idea

Euthanasia is active or passive, and voluntary, non-voluntary or involuntary

Source

Brad W. Hooker (Rule Utilitarianism and Euthanasia [1997], 5)

Book Ref

'Ethics in Practice (2nd Ed)', ed/tr. LaFollette,Hugh [Blackwell 2002], p.26


A Reaction

'Active' is intervening, and 'passive' is not intervening. A helpful framework.


The 6 ideas from Brad W. Hooker

Prescriptivism says 'ought' without commitment to act is insincere, or weakly used [Hooker,B]
Universal moral judgements imply the Golden Rule ('do as you would be done by') [Hooker,B]
Euthanasia may not involve killing, so it is 'killing or not saving, out of concern for that person' [Hooker,B]
Modern utilitarians value knowledge, friendship, autonomy, and achievement, as well as pleasure [Hooker,B]
Rule-utilitarians prevent things like torture, even on rare occasions when it seems best [Hooker,B]
Euthanasia is active or passive, and voluntary, non-voluntary or involuntary [Hooker,B]