When Is Now? Euthanasia And Morality

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Alsop, a respected journalist, who died in
1975 of a rare form of cancer gave an example on the morality of euthanasia.
Before he died, he wrote movingly of his experiences with another terminal
patient. Although he had not thought much about euthanasia before, he came
to approve of it after sharing a room with Jack. While growing up, each of
us learns a large number of rules of conduct. Which rules we learn will
depend on the kind of society we live in and the parents and the friends we
have. We may learn to be honest, to be loyal, and to work hard. Sometimes
we learn a rule without understanding its point. In most cases this may
work out, for the rule may be designed to cover ordinary circumstances, but
when faced with unusual situations, we may be in trouble. This situation
is the same with moral rules. Without understanding the rules, we may come
to think of it as a mark of virtue that we will not consider making
exceptions to. We need a way of understanding the ...

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the patient chooses not to die but instead takes the medicines his
doctor has prescribed for him. In doing so the patient is choosing for
himself. He's making his own decisions; he could see other doctors to see
if his illness had not been mistakenly presented. Is it not for the
individual to decide whether she or he wants to live or die? John Stuart
Mill, On Liberty, expresses his view on individual rights:

"In the part which merely concerns himself, his independence is, of
right, absolute. Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual
is sovereign." (629)

Those opposing euthanasia have also argued that practicing euthanasia
prevents the development of new ...

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