The Case Against Physician-Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia

Abstract

This article examines the debate concerning physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia. More specifically, it considers whether doctors should be legally allowed to hasten a patient’s death in light of the statement of principle that they must not kill patients. It begins by discussing fundamental assumptions about the nature of society and the role of professions such as medicine before assessing the arguments of those who are in favor of physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia and those who are opposed to it, with emphasis on the tension between principles and pragmatism. Arguing that the acts of physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia weaken the moral grounding and structural integrity of the medical profession in service to society, the article presents a case against such practice based on a worldview and ethical framework built on core social values and principles that doctors can adopt to alleviate the suffering of their patients without resorting to death.