Elizabeth Bouvia's request to starve herself to death reignited the controversial debate over euthanasia and the right to die. The purpose of this research is to examine this debate and develop moral arguments in favor of euthanasia.
The word "euthanasia" comes from the Greek eu, signifying "good," and thanatos, signifying "death." But the "good death" has acquired a more complex meaning in recent times. Progress in medical technology has given euthanasia an entirely new character. Previously, euthanasia more often concerned the "right to die" issue. An individual for whatever reason would choose whether to continue living. This choice was usually prompted by a hopeless situation of immense pain and misery. Euthanasia at this point, however, was always a voluntary decision.
Life-preserving medical technology has placed the issue of euthanasia in a potentially nonvoluntary dimension. For example, brain-dead patients may be kept physically alive for years with artificial respiratory and blood circulation technologies. The case of Karen Quinlan serves as a case in point. Voluntary consent for turning the life-support systems off - in effect, committing euthanasia - cannot be obtained from the patient. Any decision for euthanasia must be obtained from doctors and/or family relatives. Does a person who is incapable of choosing euthanasia deserve a "good death?"
Voluntary death is usually referred to as suicide. There are very strong similarities, but there is also an important distinction that should not be overlooked. Suicide can be committed as the result of practically evaluating one's life. In this sense suicide is an expression of free will. However, it can also be the result of psychopathological disorders, such as depression. In this case, it is debatable whether the decision to terminate one's own life is made freely. The concept of Bilanz-Selbstmord, or balance-suicide, has been advocated by the German...