Applied Ethics: Euthanasia and Issues of Life and Death

Euthanasia — literally "good death" (from the Greek eu = good, thanatos = death) — is one of the most contested moral issues in contemporary ethics. The AQA A-Level specification requires you to understand the different types of euthanasia, the key ethical arguments for and against, and how the major ethical theories (natural moral law, utilitarianism, situation ethics, Kantian ethics) apply to this issue.

Key Definition: Euthanasia is the deliberate ending of a person's life in order to relieve suffering. It may be performed by the patient themselves (assisted suicide), by a doctor, or by a third party.

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Types of Euthanasia

It is essential to distinguish between different types of euthanasia, as the ethical analysis varies significantly depending on the type.