What Is Euthanasia?
Euthanasia is defined by The American Heritage Dictionary as "the action of
killing an individual for reasons considered to be merciful" (469). Here,
killing is described as the physical action where one individual actively
kills another. Euthanasia is tolerated in the medical field under certain
circumstances when a patient is suffering profoundly and death is
inevitable. The word "euthanasia" comes from the Greek eu, "good", and
thanatos, "death," literally, "good death"; however, the word "euthanasia"
is much more difficult to define. Each person may define euthanasia
differently. Who is to decide whether a death is good or not? Is any form
of death good? All of these questions can be ...
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is the most common reason to seek an
early end. Second, a grave physical handicap exists that is so restricting
that the individual cannot, even after due care, counseling, and re-
training, tolerate such a limited existence. This handicap is a fairly rare
reason for suicide; most impaired people cope remarkably well with their
affliction, but there are some who would, at a certain point, rather die.
We say that there is a second form of suicide; justifiable suicide, that is
a rational and planned self-deliverance from a painful and hopeless disease
which will shortly end in death. I do not think the word "suicide" sits
well in this context but we are stuck with it. Suicide is the taking of
one's own life. Why does the term euthanasia even exist? Is euthanasia not
suicide? A differentiation must be made between the two. Suicide is
condoned by society as being unacceptable but euthanasia is viewed as moral
and acceptable in most instances. The term "self-deliverance" is ...
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slow down the terminal disease. I do not believe in giving
up life the minute a person is informed that he or she has a terminal
illness. Life is precious, you only live once, and it is worth a fight. It
is when the fight is clearly hopeless and the agony, physical and mental,
is unbearable that a final exit is an option. The treating physician must
have been informed, asked to be involved, and his or her response been
taken into account. The physician's response will vary depending on the
circumstances, of course, but they should advise their patients that a
rational suicide is not a crime. It is best to inform the doctor and hear
his or her response. For example, the patient might be ...
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CITE THIS PAGE:
What Is Euthanasia?. (2006, December 14). Retrieved December 22, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/What-Is-Euthanasia/57099
"What Is Euthanasia?." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 14 Dec. 2006. Web. 22 Dec. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/What-Is-Euthanasia/57099>
"What Is Euthanasia?." Essayworld.com. December 14, 2006. Accessed December 22, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/What-Is-Euthanasia/57099.
"What Is Euthanasia?." Essayworld.com. December 14, 2006. Accessed December 22, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/What-Is-Euthanasia/57099.
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