Euthanasi An Utilitarian Perspective - 1676 Words

Euthanasia is one of the topics that have aroused heated ethical debate all over the universe. By definition, euthanasia, also known as mercy killing can be termed as the practice of allowing a slow and less painful death on terminally ill patients or on patient’s that have lost the hope of living. I argue that the practice of euthanasia need not involve the doctor’s moral feelings for they are irrelevant and therefore should be practiced to ensure that the terminally-ill patients and the public do not undergo unnecessary suffering. Williams argues that the utilitarian view fails to take the consideration of the agent’s moral feelings performing the act. I contend that this fails because Mill’s theory strongly implies that ends are desirable in so far as people desire them. I will first articulate the utilitarian perspective on euthanasia, I show why Williams argument does not succeed, because he fails to consider the desires of the others involved in the situation. I then offer a response based on the utilitarian perspective and discount his argument. The philosophical lens argument that seems to approve and uphold euthanasia is the utilitarian point of view. The utilitarian theory claims that the decision to undertake the doctor-assisted suicide is perfectly within the moral threshold of society. The normative ethical theory of utilitarianism seems to derive its basis from the fact that the best action and the right thing to do is which derives the most benefit to others.