I will be writing about virtue ethics, the moral character of a person that is carrying out an action. Versus euthanasia which is the painless killing of suffering patients with the agreement of the patient and doctor. I will state my personal view on the matter and why agree or disagree.
Virtue Ethics was created by Aristotle. Virtue ethics it is moral to be a virtuous person other than to do virtuous things, as a virtuous person does virtuous things which makes them virtuous. Like I stated earlier euthanasia is the voluntary passing to end ones suffering from a disease or illness. Virtue ethics is less of a character’s actions but more of their morals and becoming a better person. I am arguing against virtue ethics and ones right to be ‘moral’, I am arguing for euthanasia and how I see it as not acting against one’s morals of being virtuous. There is no direct argument that euthanasia is against Virtue Ethics. It is more of how it is viewed and interpreted in the way of Virtue Ethics. There are a set of rules, but I believe they become somewhat undermined when there is the condition of knowledge or education which is seen as justification. What is the case if someone doesn’t agree upon a matter yet still has to complete the task because it is required?
Euthanasia is basically the killing of a patient that is suffering from an incurable or painful disease. Yet, there are many types of euthanasia such as physician-assisted, active, passive, voluntary, involuntary and a few more. Active euthanasia is euthanasia without the consent of the patient. Passive is withholding or not providing treatment for said patient. Involuntary being when the patient is not able to personally agree so someone else on their behalf does. I mainly will discuss physician-assisted suicide when stating my opinion on the idea versus any of the other types listed. In Physician-assisted suicide the physician provides the means while patient carries out the act themselves. Many states are against physician-assisted euthanasia as its illegal in almost all states excluding a limited few in which there is a certain basis. Physician -assisted Euthanasia ties into Virtue Ethics because the doctor either has to provide the drugs or provide and administer these drugs ultimately ending a life. I would say this is similar if not voluntary euthanasia itself. So, how exactly would euthanasia go along the guidelines or rules of Virtue Ethics? The patient is the deciding factor of what is better for them and their life. Personally, if I was suffering a painful disease that would eventually kill me, why should I endure agonizing pain just waiting to die. Others may argue it isn’t one’s decision to help end their own life as death isn’t anyone’s choice to decide. Ones views and ethical beliefs influence one’s morals beliefs and their way of thinking.
As I had stated earlier Virtue Ethics does not focus on one’s actions but on the basis and morals of an action. Euthanasia is the killing of a person suffering from a disease or terminally ill and suffering from pain. Physician-assisted suicide is a physical performing the act of ending someone’s life on the terms of it being agreed upon by the patient that is ill. How could someone be virtuously right according to Virtue Ethics? Well, the e person providing the drugs or performing the procedure would need to do so with the thought of being virtuous. To be virtuous one must show high moral standards like, being ethical, sincere, honor and a few more. The physician has the mind-set of helping their patient to end their suffering a pain, so they no longer hurt anymore. This would be seen as being virtuous and follows the guidelines of a virtuous person. It looks at the morals and motivation of which the physician is acting upon. But if the patient does not have a say if they are unconscious or can’t decide then would it still be acceptable?
The verdict on physician-assisted suicide can adhere to virtue ethics but I do not believe the others that are involuntary may not be as consistent. With what I have read on Virtue Ethics and euthanasia I would say that they do agree with one another but only under certain circumstances and conditions would have to apply. I agree that if the physician has the mindset of helping their patient end the suffering and the patient also is deciding to do so for the same factors than I do agree with this verdict. Because in the situation both characters are acting under virtuous principles. It’s in the best belief that one’s death is thought to be more beneficial than life.
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