OCR A-level Religious Studies (H573) · Ethics · Euthanasia
Mini-Lesson
Euthanasia
Euthanasia ('a good death') is an applied-ethics topic: is it ever right to end a life to relieve suffering? The debate turns on the sanctity of life versus the quality of life, and on how the ethical theories apply.
Work through each screen, weigh the range of scholarly views, answer the questions as you go and collect ⭐ stars. Press Start when you are ready.
Definitions
Types of euthanasia
Some key distinctions:
Voluntary — at the person own request.
Non-voluntary — the person cannot consent (e.g. in a coma).
Involuntary — against the person will (widely regarded as murder).
Active — deliberately doing something to cause death; passive — withdrawing or withholding treatment.
Assisted dying / suicide — helping someone end their own life.
Quick check
Voluntary euthanasia
?What does 'voluntary euthanasia' mean?
Sanctity of life
The sanctity of life
The sanctity of life view holds that human life is intrinsically sacred and God-given.
Humans are made in the image of God, giving each life inviolable worth.
Life is a gift; only God has the right to give and take it, so deliberately ending an innocent life is wrong.
This view (strong in Catholic teaching) generally opposes euthanasia.
Quick check
Sanctity of life
?What is the core claim of the sanctity of life position?
Quality of life
Quality of life and autonomy
The quality of life view judges a life by its condition, not its mere existence.
It stresses autonomy — a person right to self-determination over their own body and death.
It stresses dignity and freedom from pointless suffering.
Some argue what matters is personhood (rational, relational life), not biological life alone.
Tension: autonomy and compassion pull toward allowing euthanasia; sanctity of life and 'slippery slope' fears pull against it.
Sort it
Which argument?
Tap a claim, then whether it supports sanctity of life or quality of life.
✝️ Sanctity of life
📈 Quality of life
Applying theories
Natural Law and Kant applied
Natural Law:preservation of life is a primary precept, so it opposes euthanasia. But the doctrine of double effect permits giving pain relief that may shorten life, since the intention is to relieve pain, not to kill.
Kant: we should respect rational autonomy, yet we must never treat a person (including oneself) merely as a means; Kant thought we have a duty to preserve rational life, so he would generally oppose euthanasia.
Quick check
Double effect and euthanasia
?How does the doctrine of double effect apply to a terminally ill patient?
Applying theories
Situation Ethics and utilitarianism applied
Situation Ethics: the only question is what is the most loving act. Fletcher supported voluntary euthanasia in some cases, valuing personhood and compassion over the mere prolonging of biological life.
Utilitarianism: weigh the suffering against any happiness. Where suffering is great and irreversible, utilitarians often permit euthanasia — though rule utilitarians worry about the wider effects of legalising it.
Slippery slope: a common worry is that permitting voluntary euthanasia could lead to pressure on the vulnerable or to non-voluntary killing.
Match it
Theory and stance
Tap a theory, then how it tends to treat euthanasia.
Theory
Tends to say
Quick check
Situation Ethics applied
?How would Situation Ethics most likely approach a request for voluntary euthanasia?
Recap
The big ideas to take into the exam
Types: voluntary, non-voluntary, involuntary; active vs passive; assisted dying
Sanctity of life: life is sacred, God-given, made in God image; generally opposes euthanasia
Quality of life: autonomy, dignity, personhood; can support voluntary euthanasia
Natural Law and Kant: oppose it (preserve life; do not use persons as means), but double effect allows pain relief
Situation Ethics and utilitarianism: can permit it if most loving or if suffering outweighs happiness; note the slippery-slope worry
Euthanasia shows the ethical theories in action on a life-and-death issue. Press Finish.
🏆
Mini-lesson complete!
⭐⭐⭐
You have applied the ethical theories to euthanasia. 🕊️