Killing vs' Letting Die

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Killing vs. Letting Die
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James Rachels Arguments Against the Distinction

• If withholding lifesaving aid is OK in medical
  situations why not in other situations, eg. Child
  drowning? (Reductio Ad Absurdum)
• If the intent of removing treatment is to relieve
  suffering, why not adopt the quickest method
  (assisted suicide) rather than a slower one
  (withholding treatment)?

3
Philippa Footss Response

• There are actually two different moral principles
  at work in Rachels example which just happen to
  coincide (benevolence and justice)
• These two principles dont always necessarily
  coincide
• Example of Soldier being left behind
• Benevolence might suggest killing him is
  acceptable, but justice requires heeding his wish
  not to be killed
• So, there can be essential differences between
  cases of killing and letting die

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Rachels Response

• But what about cases where someone requests to
  die?
• Wouldnt both justice and benevolence allow
  heeding their request?
• Wouldnt in some of these cases, the maximization
  of happiness be best served by killing?

5
TechnologicalMeans Matter

• Rachels argument is that the means to achieving
  a morally desirable end doesnt matter morally
• One should simply choose the quickest means to
  achieve the end
• A system of assisted suicide should be adopted
  because it more quickly ends pain than a system
  that prohibits assisted suicide but allows
  passive euthanasia
• Isnt this logically equivalent to arguing that
  since cars and public transit both achieve the
  same morally desirable end of getting people from
  a to b, one should choose the car?
• Can we really argue like this anymore in the 21st
  century?

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Essay Topics and Due Dates

• Should doctor assisted suicide be made legal?
  (March 20) Eg. Sue Rodrigez Case
• Who is the most appropriate authority for making
  decisions about the use of life sustaining
  treatment for those incapable of making their own
  medical decisions? (March 29) Eg. Helga Wanglie
  Case (p. 214)