Research Proposal on "Kant's View on Euthanasia"

Research Proposal 7 pages (2192 words) Sources: 3 Style: MLA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Kant's View On Euthanasia

Euthanasia is the process through which one individual's life is taken in order to spare him from misery. The term derives from Greek and its literal meaning is "good death." The moral implications of this particular action are far from being simple. In fact, the issue has caused philosophical debates ever since the ancient times. Some philosophers argued that as long as man in endowed with reason and has the freedom to do anything he wishes with himself, euthanasia is a moral action. Other philosophers however suggested quite the contrary. Immanuel Kant was one of them. In this paper I shall explain his views on the issue.

The act of killing somebody has always been considered to be wrong from all the possible perspectives. Nevertheless, life projects scenarios in which there is so much pain and suffering that one may consider that dying is to his advantage. Such cases involve sickness, for example people in the terminal phase of a disease. Under these circumstances, killing somebody might become an action with a good purpose. However, since life as an absolute value is at stake, it is easy to understand why there is so much controversy surrounding the matter.

There are two types of euthanasia. One can speak about passive euthanasia when a person is simply allowed to die (the case scenario is always the same and the purpose of the action is to diminish the suffering), by, let us say, removing the instruments which help him stay alive. Active euthanasia is the action through which a person is actually killed for her benefit. The means is usually through an overdose of drugs. Passive euthanasia is allowed in several states. The conditions that need to be fulfilled refer to the condition of the patient. He needs to be able to make rational decisions and he must be in the terminal phase of a disease. In Oregon, for example, physician assisted euthanasia is allowed and the patient needs to administer the drug to himself. But in this case we might as well speak about suicide.

Suicide is generally considered to be wrong. However, we have seen that depending on the circumstances, one might change his views regarding the act of killing or letting another die. Should this be the case with suicide as well? A line of thought has suggested that suicide is always wrong. One of the arguments which have been brought in order to support this thesis is the relationship to the others.

Since one does not live isolated, but in relation with the others, he or she has various duties towards them and suicide would prevent him from fulfilling them. Another argument refers to the broader consequences that a large number of suicides would cause in the world, that is, a general feeling of unhappiness.

These arguments have been considered just, but others have brought counterarguments which were stronger. Kant's philosophy however relies upon a completely different thinking paradigm and it presents arguments which are far stronger. First and foremost, one needs to consider the fact that life is an inalienable right. This means that nobody can do anything in order to take it away from an individual.

One might nevertheless ask himself: if life and freedom are unalienable rights, then why should an individual not be able to exercise his freedom upon his life (through an action such as suicide)? This is where Kant's argument of autonomy can be brought into discussion.

From the Kantian view autonomy does not refer to the freedom to do anything with yourself. This type of freedom leaves little room for responsibility and it only demonstrates that man can easily become the slave of his desires and caprices. On the contrary, a person is autonomous when he manages to control his inclinations through the strength of his rational understanding and acceptance of the moral laws which are universally valid.

Kant demonstrates it by applying the rule of the categorical imperative. One could very well decide that taking his own life or let others take it for him because he has decided in that manner is the right thing to do because living more world have more negative consequences than living less.

While we may judge this principle to be correct, things change when we need to transform it into an universal law. making life better by destroying life is a contradiction in itself, therefore such a maxim can not be accepted. Therefore, it is absurd to accept the entire process despite its motivations since its motivations are proven to be absurd.

A further argument that Kant brings in order to support his thesis is that loving yourself involves efforts made in order to preserve yourself. However, an objection could be brought up at this point. If the future holds nothing but misery, then what is the purpose of wanting to continue to live? Under these circumstances, it must be underlined that although happiness might be the final goal of all human beings, it can not definitely be the ground for building up an ethical system and it is a moral point-of-view that the debate concerning suicide (and euthanasia) should be made from.

Another concept that can be analyzed under these circumstances is represented by humanity. According to Kant one has the duty to treat himself and all the other people (manifestations of humanity) never as a means for achieving something, but always as an end. Obviously, by committing suicide or euthanasia, what one does is to destroy this humanity in order to make sure he would suffer less. In other words, he would use humanity as a means and not an end. Therefore, the act falls outside the moral category.

Returning to the concept of autonomy it can also be mentioned that death would do nothing but eliminate all the characteristics of the individual, autonomy included. Using your autonomy in order to destroy yourself may be considered the absolute manifestation of your freedom, but depending on the perspective it might as well be considered absurd.

It has been argued that one has a moral duty towards the others and this is why suicide is an action which can be considered morally wrong. Kant however changes the perspective and states that the duty one has is to himself and not the others and this duty comes under the form of autonomy (a concept which has already been discussed). It has also been suggested that as long as one can do anything he pleases with himself, then suicide is a moral action.

After all, this would not do anything against the rights and freedoms of the others. This may be true, but only to a certain limited extent. What one must actually decide is whether life is more important than happiness or the other way around. The Kantian view considers the former one more important and therefore suicide and euthanasia are wrong.

There are philosophical perspectives according to which the ethical dimension of an action can be judged only by its results. Taking this into consideration, it could be stated that suicide and euthanasia are moral actions because of their advantageous consequences. One wants to kill himself in order to avoid more pain. But since death is the annulment of the self, once the act is committed one will never get to feel anything.

However, it must be underlined that the Kantian view is not an utilitarian one. Lying might have positive consequences, this doesn't render it just. What matters are not the consequences, but the very act in itself.

If humanity involves acting on the grounds of moral reasons, doing an immoral act implies doing something against your own humanity. Suicide and euthanasia represent relevant examples in this direction. Kant believes that the value of biological life is smaller when compared to that of morality. According to him man should not hesitate in sacrificing his life in order to preserve morality. If a man continues to live despite being unhappy, it is this which makes him honourable and dignified.

It is obvious that Kant's theory is not a consequentialist one. In his opinion, there are some things which we must judge in absolute terms. Therefore, we need to understand their intrinsic value, beyond and regardless of their consequences. The fact that suicide has positive or negative consequences is irrelevant. It may bring about more joy and happiness, just as it may cause depression and unhappiness, this is of no importance. Autonomy and humanity are values far greater than happiness and it is from this perspective that the issue should be analyzed.

Let us further analyse the consequences of accepting suicide and euthanasia. Since the latter is performed for a good purpose it could be said that there is a state which, once achieved by a human being, it is just for him to die. It would mean that all people who end up in this state should die (be killed / helped to die). But this would also imply that… READ MORE

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