Deck 4: Suicide, Euthanasia, and Death

Question 1

Brant argues that some types of suicide can be morally excused even if they are objectively wrong.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

St. Augustine's argument against suicide is based on the commandment "Thou shalt not kill".

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Brock defines euthanasia as the deliberate killing of an innocent person.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Brant argues that the good consequences of euthanasia outweigh the bad consequences; and therefore euthanasia should be permitted.

Question 5

Callahan argues that a patient's right to self-determination does not imply that a physician has a right to kill the patient.

Question 6

Callahan argues that euthanasia and assisted suicide is incompatible with the aims of medicine.

Question 7

Callahan argues that if we permit euthanasia on grounds of self-determination, then any competent person should have a right to be killed by a doctor for any reason whatsoever.

Question 8

Hardwig argues that there are circumstances in which people have a duty to die.

Question 9

A central concept in Hardwig's paper is the Individualistic Fantasy.

Question 10

Hardwig believes that we fear death too much.

Question 11

What types of suicide does Brant think are excused, even though they are objectively wrong?

A) Terminally-ill patients who believe they are morally bound to commit suicide in order to prevent their families from financial ruin.
B) Those who commit suicide while temporarily insane.
C) People who commit suicide while they are not "generally themselves"
D) All of the above

Question 12

St Thomas Aquinas' argument against suicide is based on this theory.

A) Cultural relativism
B) Theory of Natural law
C) Utilitarianism
D) Kantianism

Question 13

This philosopher argues that suicide treats the state unfairly.

A) Aristotle
B) Augustine
C) Aquinas
D) Kant

Question 14

From what moral perspective does Brock argue?

A) Theory of Natural Law
B) Utilitarianism
C) Kantianism
D) Virtue Theory

Question 15

Which of the following is a good consequence of permitting euthanasia, according to Brant?

A) If euthanasia were permitted, it would be possible to respect the right of self-determination.
B) If euthanasia were permitted, terminally-ill patients would have a way out of unbearable pain and suffering.
C) If euthanasia were permitted, death could be administered in a quicker, more humane manner.
D) All of the above

Question 16

Which of the following is a bad consequence of permitting euthanasia, according to Brant?

A) Permitting euthanasia would distort the very soul of medicine.
B) Permitting euthanasia would weaken society's commitment to provide optimal care to dying patients.
C) Permitting euthanasia would weaken the general prohibition of homicide.
D) All of the above

Question 17

What is Callahan's basic argument against euthanasia?

A) Euthanasia is suicide and suicide is wrong.
B) The desire to end one's life prematurely is evidence of mental incompetence. So no rational person could ever desire euthanasia.
C) There are limits on an individual's right to self-determination; hence, considerations of self-determination do not establish the permissibility of euthanasia.
D) There is a legitimate state interest in protecting vulnerable, dying patients from unscrupulous health care providers and insurance companies.

Question 18

The debate on euthanasia, Callahan says, is profoundly emblematic of three important turning points in Western thought. Which of the following is not a point mentioned by Callahan?

A) The conditions under which one person may legitimately kill another.
B) The meaning and limits of self-determination.
C) The limiting of coercion by the "moral majority"
D) The job of medicine is to make its skills available to individuals to helm them achieve their private vision of the good life.

Question 19

Callahan argues that those who say there is no morally significant difference between killing a patient and allowing the patient to die are guilty of confusing ___________.

A) Cause and effect
B) Causality and culpability
C) Intention and causality
D) Self-determination and murder

Question 20

Which of the following objection does Hardwig consider?

A) There is a higher duty that always takes precedence over a duty to die.
B) A duty to end one's own life would be incompatible with a recognition of human dignity.
C) Seriously ill, debilitated, or dying people are already bearing the harshest burdens and so it would be wrong to ask then to bear the burden of ending their own lives.
D) All of the above

Question 21

Explain Brant's example about the pilot. Do you think the pilot who stays on the plane instead of parachuting out is committing suicide? Do you think the welfare of others justifies the decision to end one's life prematurely? Explore the implications of your view here for the case of a terminally-ill patient who commits suicide in order to keep his family from financial ruin.

Question 22

Do you think there are any circumstances that would legitimize suicide?

Question 23

Explain each of the following terms: physician-assisted suicide, passive euthanasia versus active euthanasia, and voluntary, nonvoluntary and involuntary euthanasia.

Question 24

Do an Internet search for "Oregon Death with Dignity Act". Explain the central features of this law. If there were a similar measure up for voter referendum in your state, would you vote for it? Why or why not?

Question 25

Brock identifies four good consequences and five potential bad consequences of permitting euthanasia. Discuss the good and the bad. Do you agree or disagree with Brock's conclusion?

Question 26

Do you think considerations of self-determination and individual well-being tip the scale in favor of euthanasia?

Question 27

Callahan argues that there are limits on the right of self-determination and that considerations self-determination do not support permitting euthanasia. Do you agree?

Question 28

Hardwig argues that in some cases we have a duty to die. Does this strike you as repugnant? Why? Is the fact that his suggestion elicits repugnance sufficient to warrant the rejection of his thesis?

Question 29

What is the "Individual Fantasy" that Hardwig criticizes? Do you think we tend to overlook the impact of our decisions on those around us?

Question 30

Hardwig considers three objections to his claim that there may be a duty to die. Discuss these objections.

Question 31

What factors determine whether one has a duty to die?

Question 32

Hardwig claims that we fear death too much. What do you make of his claim?