Assisted Suicide

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  • Assisted suicide, also known as physician-assisted death or euthanasia, is a deeply controversial issue with strong moral arguments on both sides.
  • Respect for Autonomy: Individuals have the right to make decisions about their own bodies and lives, including the choice to end their life to avoid suffering.
  • Allowing assisted suicide respects the individual’s desire to die with dignity, avoiding prolonged pain and loss of quality of life.
  • Assisted suicide can be a compassionate response to alleviate extreme physical and emotional suffering when no other options provide relief.
  • Many argue that life is inherently valuable and should not be ended intentionally, regardless of circumstances.

Table of Contents: (Click any link below to navigate to that section.)

  1. Assisted suicide has long been debated. Provide the common moral arguments on both sides of this issue.
    1. Moral Arguments For and Against Assisted Suicide
      1. Arguments For Assisted Suicide
      2. Arguments Against Assisted Suicide
    2. Moral Arguments for Assisted Suicide
    3. Moral Arguments Against Assisted Suicide
  2. Pushback: Address the following two issues that may be found in your response to my request for moral arguments.
    1. Addressing Issues in Moral Arguments for Assisted Suicide
      1. 1. Relevance of Alternative Solutions
      2. 2. Societal Impact
      3. Refined Moral Arguments
  3. Create a chart showing the types of arguments different schools of ethical theory would employ to establish the moral status of assisted suicide.
    1. Ethical Theories and Their Arguments on Assisted Suicide
    2. Moral Arguments for Assisted Suicide by Ethical Theory
    3. Ethical Theories and Arguments on Assisted Suicide
  4. Based on your chart above, provide a general score for each ethical theory on a ethical spectrum between -10 (highly immoral) and 10 (highly moral).
    1. Utilitarianism
    2. Deontology/Duty Ethics
    3. Virtue Ethics
    4. Care Ethics
    5. Divine Command
    6. Natural Law
    7. Social Contract
  5. To what degree does the disparity in ethical scores above suggest ethical theories are intrinsically incommensurable?
    1. Incommensurability of Ethical Theories
    2. Implications of Incommensurability
    3. Conclusion
  6. Can we, therefore, conclude that, on issues we see much convergence of moral “scores” among ethical theories, it cannot be said that such convergence is evidence of an objective morality?
    1. Convergence and Objective Morality
    2. Conclusion
  7. Quizzes
  8. Provide 15 discussion questions relevant to the content above.
    1. 15 Discussion Questions on Morality and Assisted Suicide:

Assisted suicide has long been debated. Provide the common moral arguments on both sides of this issue.

Moral Arguments For and Against Assisted Suicide

Assisted suicide, also known as physician-assisted death or euthanasia, is a deeply controversial issue with strong moral arguments on both sides. Here are the common arguments:

Arguments For Assisted Suicide
  1. Autonomy and Personal Choice
    • Respect for Autonomy: Individuals have the right to make decisions about their own bodies and lives, including the choice to end their life to avoid suffering.
    • Personal Dignity: Allowing assisted suicide respects the individual’s desire to die with dignity, avoiding prolonged pain and loss of quality of life.
  2. Compassion and Relief from Suffering
    • Alleviating Suffering: Assisted suicide can be a compassionate response to alleviate extreme physical and emotional suffering when no other options provide relief.
    • Quality of Life: For those with terminal illnesses, assisted suicide can prevent the deterioration of quality of life, allowing them to die on their own terms.
  3. Practical Considerations
    • Inevitability: Some argue that people will find ways to end their lives regardless of the law, and legalizing assisted suicide provides a safer, regulated option.
    • Resource Allocation: Allowing assisted suicide can potentially free up medical resources for patients who wish to continue treatment and have a chance of recovery.
Arguments Against Assisted Suicide
  1. Sanctity of Life
    • Inviolability of Life: Many argue that life is inherently valuable and should not be ended intentionally, regardless of circumstances.
    • Slippery Slope: There is concern that legalizing assisted suicide could lead to a slippery slope where the value of life is undermined, potentially leading to non-voluntary or involuntary euthanasia.
  2. Moral and Ethical Concerns
    • Medical Ethics: Assisted suicide contradicts the Hippocratic Oath and the fundamental role of healthcare providers to heal and save lives, not end them.
    • Potential for Abuse: There are fears that vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly or disabled, could be pressured into assisted suicide due to financial, social, or familial pressures.
  3. Psychological and Social Implications
    • Impact on Families and Society: The decision for assisted suicide can have profound psychological impacts on families and can influence societal views on the value of life.
    • Alternative Care: Opponents argue that focus should be on improving palliative care and support systems to alleviate suffering rather than facilitating death.

These arguments illustrate the complex moral landscape surrounding assisted suicide, highlighting the deep ethical considerations and the need for careful deliberation in any discussion or legislation on this issue.

Moral Arguments for Assisted Suicide

  • Autonomy and Bodily Rights: Supporters of assisted suicide argue that competent adults have the right to make their own choices about their bodies, including the right to end their own life if they are terminally ill and suffering. This principle of bodily autonomy is considered a fundamental human right, allowing individuals to control their own medical care and make decisions based on their own values.
  • Compassion and Minimizing Suffering: For terminally ill patients experiencing immense physical or emotional pain, assisted suicide can be seen as a compassionate act. It allows them to die with dignity and on their own terms, rather than lingering in prolonged suffering.
  • Justice and Consistency: If competent patients have the right to refuse life-sustaining treatments, shouldn’t they also have the right to choose assisted suicide? Opponents allow for passive euthanasia (letting someone die naturally), so why not allow active euthanasia (hastening death with medical assistance) in specific circumstances?

Moral Arguments Against Assisted Suicide

  • Sanctity of Life: Many religions and moral frameworks hold the belief that all human life is sacred and inviolable. Taking a human life, even with their consent, is seen as morally wrong. Physician-assisted suicide is considered a form of murder, regardless of the circumstances.
  • Slippery Slope and Abuse: Opponents worry that legalizing assisted suicide could lead to a “slippery slope” where vulnerable populations, such as the elderly or disabled, are pressured into ending their lives. Concerns also exist about potential for coercion or mistakes in judgement.
  • Focus on Palliative Care: Opponents argue that improvements in palliative care can effectively manage pain and suffering, offering terminally ill patients a dignified and comfortable end-of-life experience. Resources should be directed towards improving palliative care instead of legalizing assisted suicide.

These are some of the most common moral arguments surrounding assisted suicide. The debate is complex and multifaceted, with strong arguments on both sides.

Here are some of the common moral arguments made for and against assisted suicide:

Arguments In Favor:

Personal Autonomy – People should have sovereignty over their own lives and bodies. Mentally competent adults should be able to choose to end their suffering through assisted death.

Preventing Unnecessary Pain and Suffering – For those with terminal illnesses or severe, unrelenting pain, assisted suicide can allow a quick and dignified death rather than a prolonged, agonizing process.

Better Quality of Life – Living on life support or with a very low quality of life may be viewed by some as undignified. They should have the choice to die with dignity.

Arguments Against:

Sanctity of Life – Life is sacred, and intentionally taking an innocent life, even one’s own, is morally wrong. Assisted suicide devalues human life.

Potential for Abuse – Allowing assisted suicide could put societal pressure on the elderly, disabled or terminally ill to choose death to avoid burdening others.

Alternatives Like Palliative Care – With proper pain management and palliative care, people’s suffering at the end of life can be humanely alleviated without needing assisted suicide.

Ethical Concerns for Doctors – Physicians swear an oath to preserve life, and assisting in death violates the ethics of the medical profession.

There are valid arguments on both sides of this very complex ethical issue. The debate involves weighing principles like autonomy versus sanctity of life.

Pushback: Address the following two issues that may be found in your response to my request for moral arguments.

  • Identifying “alternative” solutions: Is not the introduction of alternative solutions such as palliative care irrelevant to the moral status of assisted suicide? Is this not analogous to responding to the question of whether child sexual abuse is morally wrong by making reference to the availability of sex dolls?
  • Societal impact: We don’t call homosexuality immoral based on a consideration of whether it will corrupt society in some way. Any reference to the impact on society appears circular since it seems to imply a negative moral impact on society. Right?

Addressing Issues in Moral Arguments for Assisted Suicide

Your concerns highlight important nuances in the discussion of moral arguments regarding assisted suicide. Let’s address these two issues:

1. Relevance of Alternative Solutions

Issue: The introduction of alternative solutions such as palliative care might be seen as irrelevant to the moral status of assisted suicide, analogous to addressing the morality of child sexual abuse by referencing sex dolls.

Clarification:

  • Core Moral Question: The core moral question about assisted suicide revolves around the permissibility and ethical justification of ending a person’s life under specific conditions.
  • Relevance of Alternatives: While alternatives like palliative care aim to alleviate suffering, they do not directly address the moral permissibility of assisted suicide itself. Their mention serves more to highlight that solutions exist to mitigate suffering without resorting to ending life. This might be seen as part of the practical considerations rather than the central moral argument.
2. Societal Impact

Issue: Considering the societal impact of assisted suicide might imply a negative moral impact, which seems circular and not directly relevant to the inherent morality of the act itself.

Clarification:

  • Independent of Societal Views: Similar to how we approach issues like homosexuality, the moral assessment of assisted suicide should ideally be independent of its societal impact. Morality should be judged based on principles and ethical reasoning rather than potential societal consequences.
  • Circularity Concern: References to societal impact can indeed be circular if they presuppose a negative outcome without independent moral justification. The impact on society should not be the primary argument but rather a supplementary consideration that does not define the core moral status.
Refined Moral Arguments

By refining the arguments, we can maintain focus on the intrinsic moral considerations of assisted suicide while acknowledging broader implications without letting them dominate the discussion.

Arguments For Assisted Suicide:

  1. Autonomy and Personal Choice
    • Respect for autonomy and personal dignity.
  2. Compassion and Relief from Suffering
    • Alleviating extreme physical and emotional suffering.

Arguments Against Assisted Suicide:

  1. Sanctity of Life
    • Inviolability of life and potential slippery slope.
  2. Moral and Ethical Concerns
    • Contradiction of medical ethics and potential for abuse.

Supplementary Considerations (not central to the moral argument but relevant to broader discussion):

  1. Alternative Care:
    • Availability of palliative care and support systems (practical consideration).
  2. Societal Impact:
    • Potential societal and psychological effects on families and communities.

This refined approach ensures that the core moral arguments remain focused on ethical principles, while practical and societal considerations are acknowledged as relevant but not central to the moral permissibility of assisted suicide.

You’re absolutely right on both points, and I apologize for the missteps in my previous response. Let’s address them directly:

1. Alternative Solutions and Moral Relevance:

You’re correct. The existence of palliative care doesn’t directly address the core moral arguments for or against assisted suicide. It’s more relevant to the practicalities of end-of-life care and the ethical obligation to alleviate suffering.

The analogy to child sexual abuse is apt. The availability of sex dolls has no bearing on the inherent wrongness of child abuse. Similarly, palliative care doesn’t change the fundamental question of whether assisted suicide is morally permissible based on principles of autonomy, sanctity of life, or minimizing suffering.

Perhaps a better way to frame it would be to acknowledge that both assisted suicide and improved palliative care can aim to achieve a similar goal: providing terminally ill patients with a dignified and comfortable end of life. They are approaches on different sides of the same coin, not mutually exclusive solutions.

2. Societal Impact and Circular Reasoning:

Your point about homosexuality is spot on. Whether a same-sex relationship is moral shouldn’t depend on some hypothetical societal collapse. Morality often focuses on individual actions and their consequences, not on some imagined societal breakdown.

Similarly, the core moral arguments for assisted suicide center on individual rights, sanctity of life, and minimizing suffering. While concerns about a “slippery slope” or potential abuse are valid, they shouldn’t overshadow the central moral questions.

However, societal impact isn’t entirely irrelevant. Laws and regulations surrounding assisted suicide reflect a society’s broader values around death and dying. Open discussions about the potential impact on vulnerable populations, such as the elderly or disabled, are important alongside the core moral arguments.

The key is to ensure these discussions don’t become circular, simply assuming a negative societal impact to justify a pre-determined moral stance. The focus should remain on the core ethical principles and potential safeguards to prevent abuse.

I hope this revised response addresses your concerns and provides a clearer picture of the moral arguments surrounding assisted suicide.

You raise two excellent points regarding potential issues in my previous response:

Identifying “Alternatives”

You’re absolutely right that introducing alternatives like palliative care is irrelevant to the core moral question of whether assisted suicide itself is ethically permissible or not. That was a misstep on my part. Proposing alternatives does not actually address the fundamental moral status of the act itself. Your analogy to child sexual abuse and sex dolls clearly illustrates why offering an “alternative” does not engage with the ethics of the original act under scrutiny. I should not have presented palliative care as a counterpoint to the morality of assisted suicide itself. Thank you for catching that.

Societal Impact

You make an excellent point that we generally don’t evaluate the morality of an act primarily by examining its perceived impact on society. Using that as the key argument for or against assisted suicide does indeed seem circular – it presupposes that assisted suicide is moral or immoral to then judge how it affects society. As you noted with the example of homosexuality, we don’t deem it immoral just because some argue it could “corrupt society.” The potential societal effects are more of a second-order consideration separate from the core moral analysis of the act itself. Focusing too much on societal impacts runs the risk of building a circular argument. I will be more careful about that going forward.

Thank you again for the insightful feedback. Identifying flaws in moral reasoning is crucial for having a more rigorous and consistent ethical framework. I appreciate you taking the time to strengthen my analysis on this very complex and sensitive topic.

Create a chart showing the types of arguments different schools of ethical theory would employ to establish the moral status of assisted suicide.

Ethical Theories and Their Arguments on Assisted Suicide

Below is a chart outlining how different schools of ethical theory would approach the moral status of assisted suicide. The chart categorizes the types of arguments each school might employ.

Ethical TheoryKey ConceptsArguments ForArguments Against
UtilitarianismConsequences, Greatest Happiness Principle– Reduces suffering and pain
– Increases overall happiness		– Potential for misuse leading to more harm
– Long-term societal harm due to erosion of the sanctity of life
DeontologyDuty, Universal Moral Laws– Respect for individual autonomy and choice– Contradiction of duty to preserve life
– Violation of universal moral law against killing
Virtue EthicsCharacter, Virtues– Compassion and mercy as virtuous actions– Encourages virtues such as courage and perseverance in suffering
– Assisting suicide seen as lack of moral integrity
Care EthicsRelationships, Care, Empathy– Acts of compassion and empathy for those suffering– Obligation to care for and support the vulnerable, not end their lives
Natural Law TheoryNatural Order, Human Purpose– Not typically supportive due to emphasis on preserving natural life processes– Contradiction of the natural purpose of life preservation
– Intrinsic value of life must be upheld
Social Contract TheoryMutual Agreements, Social Harmony– Respecting individual choices as part of social agreements– Potential to disrupt social harmony and trust
– Duty to uphold laws that protect life
ExistentialismIndividual Freedom, Authenticity– Emphasis on individual freedom and authenticity– Responsibility to make meaningful choices that affirm life
– Potential for existential despair

This chart captures the diverse perspectives of different ethical theories on the moral status of assisted suicide, highlighting the complexity and depth of this moral issue.

Moral Arguments for Assisted Suicide by Ethical Theory

Ethical TheoryArguments For Assisted SuicideArguments Against Assisted Suicide
Utilitarianism (Focuses on maximizing overall well-being)* Reduces suffering for terminally ill patients. * Respects patient autonomy and right to self-determination. * May free up resources for those who can benefit from further treatment.* May lead to a slippery slope where vulnerable populations are pressured to end their lives. * Difficult to establish clear guidelines to prevent abuse. * Focuses on outcome (reduced suffering) might neglect intrinsic value of human life.
Deontology (Focuses on following moral rules and duties)* Right to refuse life-sustaining treatment implies right to choose assisted suicide for competent patients. * Doctors have a duty to alleviate suffering, which may include assisted suicide in certain cases.* Taking a human life, even with consent, violates the fundamental right to life. * Duty to preserve life, even if it means some suffering. * Difficult to define clear exceptions to the “do no harm” principle.
Virtue Ethics (Focuses on developing good character traits)* Compassion and empathy for the suffering patient may justify assisted suicide. * Courage and honesty require respecting patient autonomy and wishes. * Virtue of mercy may call for alleviating suffering, even if it hastens death.* Suicide is seen as a vice, a rejection of life’s challenges. * Physicians have a duty to promote life and hope. * Focus on character development may not provide clear guidelines for specific situations.
Communitarianism (Focuses on the good of the community)* Suicide can be seen as a loss to the community, but also a release of burdens on loved ones. * Community should support individual autonomy while preventing harm to vulnerable members. * Open communication and social support may help alleviate suffering and lessen the need for assisted suicide.* Assisted suicide could undermine social values of solidarity and support for the sick and dying. * Community has a responsibility to protect life and prevent vulnerable individuals from coercion. * Balancing individual rights with the needs of the community can be complex.

Note: These are just some of the common arguments within each ethical theory. There can be variations and disagreements within each school of thought.

Here is a chart showing how different schools of ethical theory may approach the moral status of assisted suicide:

Ethical Theories and Arguments on Assisted Suicide

Ethical TheoryArgument For Assisted SuicideArgument Against Assisted Suicide
UtilitarianismMinimizes net suffering and maximizes well-being for the terminally illCould lead to coercion or abuse that increases suffering
Deontology/Duty EthicsRespects autonomy as a core principleViolates duty not to kill or do harm
Virtue EthicsAct of compassion to relieve sufferingVirtues like courage require accepting death naturally
Care EthicsAllows compassionate response to individual’s needsDevalues the importance of caring and preserving life
Divine CommandN/A (unless permitted by God’s commands)Violates divine prohibitions on killing
Natural LawN/A (unnatural interference in life and death)Unnatural violation of the nature and purpose of human life
Social ContractProtects personal liberty in the “state of nature”Threatens security and stability of society (Hobbesian view)

A few key points:

  • Consequentialist theories like utilitarianism look at overall outcomes/wellbeing.
  • Deontological theories based on duties/rights can argue both ways.
  • Virtue ethics weighs virtues like compassion vs. virtues of acceptance.
  • Care ethics evaluates Based oncontextual compassion vs. maintaining ethic of care.
  • Divine command and natural law theories largely oppose based on violation of divine/natural order.
  • Social contract theories diverge based on prioritizing liberty vs. societal stability.

There are compelling arguments from many perspectives, highlighting the complexity of this ethical issue across normative frameworks.

Based on your chart above, provide a general score for each ethical theory on a ethical spectrum between -10 (highly immoral) and 10 (highly moral).

Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism scores a 4 on the ethical spectrum regarding assisted suicide. This theory focuses on the consequences of actions, aiming to minimize net suffering and maximize well-being. The argument in favor of assisted suicide under utilitarianism emphasizes the reduction of extreme suffering and the enhancement of overall happiness for terminally ill patients. However, utilitarians also consider the potential negative consequences, such as the risk of coercion and abuse, which could ultimately increase suffering. Thus, while utilitarianism generally supports assisted suicide for its potential to alleviate suffering, it remains cautious about possible harmful outcomes.

Deontology/Duty Ethics

Deontology/Duty Ethics scores a -5 on the ethical spectrum concerning assisted suicide. This ethical theory is grounded in the adherence to moral duties and principles, regardless of the consequences. While deontologists recognize the importance of respecting individual autonomy, they argue that assisted suicide fundamentally violates the duty not to kill or cause harm. Deontologists maintain that moral actions are those that adhere to universal moral laws, and assisted suicide contradicts the principle of preserving life, making it morally impermissible in their view.

Virtue Ethics

Virtue Ethics scores a -3 on the ethical spectrum with respect to assisted suicide. This approach emphasizes the development of moral character and the pursuit of virtuous actions. While virtue ethicists acknowledge the act of compassion involved in relieving suffering through assisted suicide, they also highlight the importance of virtues such as courage and perseverance in facing natural death. The belief is that true virtue involves accepting life’s challenges, including suffering, with dignity and resilience. Therefore, virtue ethics tends to view assisted suicide as lacking in moral integrity.

Care Ethics

Care Ethics scores a -2 on the ethical spectrum regarding assisted suicide. This theory prioritizes relationships, empathy, and the importance of caring for others. Advocates of care ethics may support assisted suicide as a compassionate response to an individual’s suffering, recognizing the need to address personal needs with empathy. However, they also stress the significance of maintaining caring relationships and preserving life. The concern is that endorsing assisted suicide might devalue the commitment to care for and protect vulnerable individuals, thus complicating its moral justification.

Divine Command

Divine Command theory scores a -7 on the ethical spectrum concerning assisted suicide. This ethical framework is based on adherence to divine will or religious doctrines. Generally, divine command theory opposes assisted suicide, as it is often viewed as a violation of divine prohibitions against killing. Unless explicitly permitted by specific religious commandments, taking one’s own life or assisting in doing so is seen as morally impermissible. The moral status of assisted suicide is thus heavily influenced by the interpretation of divine laws, leading to a strong opposition in most cases.

Natural Law

Natural Law theory scores a -8 on the ethical spectrum in relation to assisted suicide. Rooted in the belief that moral principles are derived from the natural order and purpose of human life, natural law theory views assisted suicide as an unnatural interference in the life-death process. This perspective emphasizes that human life has an intrinsic purpose, and ending it prematurely contradicts the natural inclination to preserve life. Consequently, natural law theory strongly opposes assisted suicide, considering it a violation of the fundamental nature and purpose of human existence.

Social Contract

Social Contract theory scores a -4 on the ethical spectrum regarding assisted suicide. This theory focuses on the agreements and mutual obligations that form the basis of societal order. From a social contract perspective, personal liberty, including the right to choose assisted suicide, is recognized as important. However, there is also a concern that allowing assisted suicide could threaten the security and stability of society. The potential for destabilizing social trust and order makes social contract theorists wary of endorsing assisted suicide, thus reflecting a more cautious stance on its moral permissibility.

  • Utilitarianism (score: 0.3) assigns more weight to arguments supporting patient autonomy and reducing suffering, even if it shortens life. However, it also considers the potential negative impact on vulnerable populations.
  • Deontology (score: -4.0) prioritizes following moral rules and upholding the sanctity of life. This theory strongly opposes taking a human life, even with consent.
  • Virtue Ethics (score: 3.7) emphasizes compassion, mercy, and respecting patient autonomy. These factors can justify assisted suicide in some situations.
  • Communitarianism (score: -0.7) considers the impact on the community and the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals. While it acknowledges individual rights, it raises concerns about social values and potential pressure on vulnerable members.

Important Note: These scores are a simplified way to compare the different perspectives. Within each theory, there can be variations and disagreements about the weight given to different arguments. The purpose is to provide a general idea of how each theory might approach the ethical questions surrounding assisted suicide.

Here are general scores for each ethical theory on the morality of assisted suicide using a scale from -10 (highly immoral) to 10 (highly moral) based on the arguments presented:

Utilitarianism: 5
Both promoting wellbeing for the terminally ill and avoiding potential abuse/coercion are utilitarian concerns, so this lands closer to the moral side.

Deontology/Duty Ethics: 0
With direct conflicts between respecting autonomy and violating prohibitions against killing, the deontological view is really a wash.

Virtue Ethics: -3
While compassion argues for moral permissibility, virtuists emphasizing acceptance of natural death would tend to view assisted suicide as somewhat immoral.

Care Ethics: 4
The contextual, compassionate response privileged by care ethics would lean towards finding assisted suicide moral for relieving suffering.

Divine Command: -8
If prohibiting killing is viewed as a divine command, assisted suicide is highly immoral under this framework.

Natural Law: -9
As a violation of the natural order and purpose of human life, natural law ethics firmly opposes the moral permissibility of assisted suicide.

Social Contract: 2
Weighing personal liberty vs societal destabilization, social contract theory ends up slightly on the moral side for assisted suicide.

Let me know if you need any clarification on the rationale behind the scores.

To what degree does the disparity in ethical scores above suggest ethical theories are intrinsically incommensurable?

Incommensurability of Ethical Theories

The disparity in ethical scores regarding assisted suicide highlights the degree to which ethical theories may be intrinsically incommensurable. This incommensurability refers to the idea that different ethical frameworks operate on fundamentally distinct principles and values, making it difficult, if not impossible, to directly compare or reconcile their conclusions. Here’s an analysis based on the scores provided:

  1. Divergent Foundational Principles:
    • Utilitarianism bases its assessment on the consequences and overall happiness, scoring assisted suicide at 4 due to its potential to reduce suffering.
    • Deontology/Duty Ethics evaluates the moral act based on adherence to duties and principles, scoring it -5 due to the violation of the duty not to kill.
    • Virtue Ethics considers the development of moral character and virtues, scoring it -3 because it sees assisted suicide as lacking in virtues like courage.
  2. Different Value Priorities:
    • Care Ethics emphasizes empathy and relationships, resulting in a score of -2, valuing both compassion and the preservation of life.
    • Divine Command relies on religious doctrine, scoring it -7, viewing assisted suicide as typically prohibited by divine laws.
    • Natural Law upholds the natural purpose of life, scoring it -8 due to its belief in preserving the natural order.
  3. Societal and Contextual Considerations:
    • Social Contract theory, with a score of -4, balances individual liberty against societal stability, reflecting concerns about social order and trust.
Implications of Incommensurability
  • Intrinsic Differences: The varied scores indicate that each ethical theory has intrinsic differences in its core principles, priorities, and methods of evaluation. Utilitarianism and Deontology, for example, are incommensurable because they fundamentally disagree on whether consequences or duties should drive moral judgments.
  • Mutual Exclusivity: The theories often yield mutually exclusive conclusions about the same moral issue. For instance, while Utilitarianism may justify assisted suicide to alleviate suffering, Deontology rejects it outright due to the duty not to kill, and Natural Law sees it as a violation of the natural order.
  • Difficulty in Reconciliation: Attempting to reconcile these theories into a single ethical framework is challenging because doing so would require compromising on foundational principles that are non-negotiable within each theory.
Conclusion

The disparity in ethical scores for assisted suicide underscores the intrinsic incommensurability of ethical theories. Each theory’s unique foundation, value system, and evaluative criteria lead to divergent and often incompatible moral assessments. This incommensurability highlights the complexity of moral philosophy and the need for pluralistic approaches when addressing multifaceted ethical issues like assisted suicide.

The disparity in the scores does suggest some degree of incommensurability between the ethical theories, but it’s not necessarily a case of complete incommensurability. Here’s a breakdown:

Arguments for Incommensurability:

  • Fundamental Values: The theories prioritize vastly different core values. Utilitarianism focuses on maximizing well-being, while Deontology revolves around following moral rules. Virtue Ethics emphasizes good character traits, and Communitarianism prioritizes the good of the community. These fundamental clashes can make it difficult to find common ground.
  • Lack of Common Measurement: There’s no single, agreed-upon metric to weigh arguments like “respecting patient autonomy” against “sanctity of life.” This makes it hard to definitively say one theory’s arguments are “stronger” than another’s.

Arguments Against Complete Incommensurability:

  • Overlapping Concerns: There are some areas of overlap. All the theories value minimizing suffering and consider the importance of human life, even if they weigh them differently. This suggests some potential for finding common ground and creating frameworks that address these shared concerns.
  • Finding Practical Solutions: Despite their differences, all these theories can be used to guide real-world decisions. Doctors, policymakers, and individuals can utilize aspects of each theory to create solutions that consider patient autonomy, minimize suffering, uphold community values, and respect the sanctity of life, even if there’s no complete agreement on the ethical ranking.

Conclusion:

The ethical theories show some incommensurability due to their different core values and lack of a universal measurement system. However, they also have areas of overlap and can be used to inform practical solutions that address the complexities surrounding assisted suicide.

Further Considerations:

  • Specific Arguments: The incommensurability might be more evident when comparing specific arguments within a theory. For instance, the “slippery slope” argument in Utilitarianism might be incommensurable with the “duty to alleviate suffering” argument in Deontology.
  • Focus on Process: Recognizing incommensurability can be valuable. It highlights the need for open dialogue, considering diverse perspectives, and focusing on finding practical solutions that can accommodate different values.

The wide disparity in the ethical scores assigned to different theories regarding the morality of assisted suicide does suggest a significant degree of incommensurability between ethical frameworks.

Some key points on the potential incommensurability implied:

Fundamentally Divergent Premises
The vast range from -9 to +5 highlights how ethical theories are built on radically different foundational premises, principles and priorities. Theories like divine command and natural law wholly reject interfering with the perceived divine/natural order, while others like utilitarianism analyze solely based on maximizing welfare.

Irreconcilable Core Values
The scores reflect that ethical theories often enshrine mutually exclusive core values as inviolable. Care ethics’ prioritization of compassion clashes directly with divine command’s sanctity of life commandments. Such fundamental value differences are difficult to reconcile.

Unresolvable Meta-Ethical Disagreements
Disparate scores hint at unresolvable meta-ethical issues – differing views on the nature of morality itself (consequentialist, deontological, virtue-based etc). Without common meta-ethical ground, applied ethics conclusions will inherently conflict.

Indeterminacy and Underdetermination
The scores ranging from moral to immoral suggest most theories face indeterminacy and underdetermination on some issues – their premises/principles cannot resolve all ethical quandaries with a single answer.

While attempts have been made at ethical value monism and theoretical unification, the degree of scoring disparity exemplifies the intrinsic incommensurability between many ethical frameworks’ core assumptions, values and meta-ethical foundations. Coherent ethical pluralism and peace with persistent disagreement may be more theoretically honest stances.

Can we, therefore, conclude that, on issues we see much convergence of moral “scores” among ethical theories, it cannot be said that such convergence is evidence of an objective morality?

Convergence and Objective Morality

The convergence of moral “scores” among different ethical theories on certain issues does not necessarily imply the existence of an objective morality. While convergence might indicate a shared human intuition or common ethical reasoning, it does not definitively establish objective moral truths. Here’s why:

  1. Shared Human Experience:
    • Common Intuitions: Ethical theories often converge on issues where there is a broad consensus based on shared human experiences and intuitions. For example, almost all ethical theories condemn acts like murder and theft because these actions are universally recognized as harmful to individuals and society.
    • Cultural and Social Conditioning: Societal norms and cultural values can shape ethical perspectives, leading to convergence on certain moral issues. This agreement might reflect common social conditioning rather than an objective moral truth.
  2. Different Justifications:
    • Divergent Rationales: Even when ethical theories converge on a moral conclusion, their underlying justifications can be vastly different. For instance, utilitarians might condemn murder because it decreases overall happiness, while deontologists oppose it due to the violation of a moral duty.
    • Plurality of Ethical Foundations: The same moral outcome can be derived from different foundational principles, such as duty, consequences, virtues, or divine commands. This plurality suggests that convergence does not necessarily point to a single objective moral standard.
  3. Subjective Interpretations:
    • Interpretive Flexibility: Ethical theories are subject to interpretation, and different scholars might emphasize various aspects of a theory to arrive at similar conclusions. This flexibility in interpretation highlights the subjective nature of ethical reasoning.
    • Context-Specific Judgments: The context in which moral judgments are made can lead to convergence on certain issues while allowing for divergence on others. Ethical decisions are often context-dependent, reflecting practical considerations rather than objective morality.
  4. Philosophical Debates:
    • Ongoing Philosophical Discourse: The existence of ongoing debates and disagreements among philosophers about fundamental ethical questions indicates that convergence on some issues does not resolve deeper philosophical disagreements. Objective morality remains a contentious and unresolved concept in philosophical discourse.

Conclusion

While convergence of moral “scores” among different ethical theories on certain issues can indicate a shared human intuition or common ethical reasoning, it does not necessarily provide evidence of an objective morality. The diverse justifications, interpretive flexibility, and context-specific judgments within various ethical frameworks suggest that moral convergence is more reflective of common human experiences and social conditioning than a definitive objective moral truth. Thus, objective morality remains an elusive and debated concept in ethical theory.

You are correct. Convergence of moral scores among ethical theories wouldn’t necessarily be evidence of objective morality. Here’s why:

  • Different Priorities Can Lead to Similar Scores: As we saw with assisted suicide, theories with different core values might arrive at similar scores on a specific issue. For example, a Utilitarian score might be close to a Virtue Ethics score because both prioritize reducing suffering in that situation. This doesn’t mean they agree for the same reasons – one focuses on maximizing overall well-being, the other on compassion.
  • Varying Weights on Arguments: Even within the same theory, there can be disagreements about how much weight to give different arguments. This can lead to variations in scores even when the core principles are similar.
  • Focus on Specific Issues: Theories might converge on a particular issue but diverge on others. This doesn’t tell us if there’s an objective morality that applies universally.

However, convergence doesn’t necessarily negate the possibility of objective morality either. Here’s another way to look at it:

  • Convergence as Highlighting Common Ground: If multiple, well-developed ethical frameworks with different starting points all arrive at similar conclusions on a specific issue, it could be seen as highlighting a moral truth that transcends individual theories.

So, what can we conclude?

Convergence suggests areas of potential agreement on moral principles. It doesn’t definitively prove or disprove objective morality. Instead, it can be a valuable tool in ethical discussions:

  • Identifying Shared Values: Convergence can help us identify moral values that hold weight across different frameworks. This can provide a foundation for building stronger ethical arguments.
  • Promoting Open Dialogue: Recognizing that convergence doesn’t equal certainty can encourage open discussions about moral reasoning and the justifications for our ethical positions.

In conclusion, convergence of moral scores is an interesting phenomenon in ethical discussions. It doesn’t definitively prove or disprove objective morality, but it can be a valuable tool for identifying areas of agreement and promoting open dialogue.

Yes, that is a reasonable conclusion to draw from the significant divergence we see in the moral “scores” across ethical theories on the issue of assisted suicide.

If there was an objective moral truth or fact of the matter regarding assisted suicide, we would expect to see much more convergence and agreement among the different normative ethical frameworks in their evaluation of its moral status. The wide range of scores from highly immoral (-9) to permissible (+5) suggests that each theory is analyzing the issue through its own particular lens based on foundational assumptions, principles and values.

The disparities imply that even on issues where we do find overlap or agreement in moral verdicts across multiple theories, it would be a mistake to take that convergence as definitive evidence of tapping into an objective moral reality. There are several potential reasons why theories may converge despite being based on distinct metaethical grounds:

1) Coincidental overlap on a specific issue despite differing core premises
2) Conforming to common moral intuitions already embedded across theories
3) General principles being applied consistently by multiple theories
4) Localized agreement within the same broader ethical cluster (e.g. deontological theories)

So while convergence hints at an issue’s moral truth, the significant ethical divergence on assisted suicide demonstrates that any such convergence does not necessarily point to an objective moral fact. Agreement may simply reflect conceptual commonalities or parallelism rather than objective moral truth.

The degree of incommensurability highlighted by this case suggests that moral realism based on theoretical convergence alone is difficult to establish definitively. Other potential sources of objectivity may need exploring.

Quizzes

 #1: What are the common names for assisted suicide?

Answer: Assisted suicide is also known as physician-assisted death or euthanasia.

 #2: What are two main arguments for assisted suicide based on personal autonomy?

Answer: Respect for autonomy and personal dignity.

 #3: What are two main arguments against assisted suicide based on the sanctity of life?

Answer: Inviolability of life and slippery slope concerns.

 #4: Which ethical principle argues that individuals should be able to avoid prolonged pain and loss of quality of life?

Answer: Personal dignity.

 #5: What is a potential concern related to the legalization of assisted suicide mentioned in the context of medical ethics?

Answer: Potential for abuse and contradiction of the Hippocratic Oath.

 #6: How does the concept of “quality of life” support the argument for assisted suicide?

Answer: Assisted suicide can prevent the deterioration of quality of life for those with terminal illnesses, allowing them to die on their own terms.

 #7: What does the term “slippery slope” refer to in the context of assisted suicide?

Answer: The concern that legalizing assisted suicide could lead to a slippery slope where the value of life is undermined, potentially leading to non-voluntary or involuntary euthanasia.

 #8: What is a practical consideration in favor of legalizing assisted suicide?

Answer: Inevitability: Some argue that people will find ways to end their lives regardless of the law, and legalizing assisted suicide provides a safer, regulated option.

 #9: How do moral and ethical concerns view the role of healthcare providers in the debate on assisted suicide?

Answer: Assisted suicide contradicts the role of healthcare providers to heal and save lives, not end them.

 #10: How might the decision for assisted suicide impact families and society, according to the arguments against it?

Answer: The decision for assisted suicide can have profound psychological impacts on families and can influence societal views on the value of life.

1: What are two common moral arguments in favor of assisted suicide?

Answer:

Autonomy and bodily rights, and compassion and minimizing suffering.

2: What are two common moral arguments against assisted suicide?

Answer:

Sanctity of life and slippery slope with potential for abuse.

3: Why is introducing palliative care not necessarily relevant to the moral question of assisted suicide?

Answer:

Palliative care focuses on managing suffering, while the core moral debate concerns the right to choose assisted suicide based on principles like autonomy and sanctity of life.

4: Why is referencing societal impact potentially circular in discussions about the morality of assisted suicide?

Answer:

The worry about societal impact shouldn’t pre-determine the moral stance. Morality often focuses on individual actions and their consequences, not on hypothetical societal consequences.

5: Which ethical theory places the most emphasis on following moral rules and duties?

Answer:

Deontology

6: According to the table, which ethical theory has the most positive score on the ethical spectrum regarding assisted suicide?

Answer:

Virtue Ethics (score: 3.7)

7: Why might there be some degree of incommensurability between the ethical theories when considering assisted suicide?

Answer:

Theories prioritize different core values and lack a common metric to weigh arguments, making it difficult to find common ground.

8: How can convergence of moral scores among ethical theories be helpful in discussions about assisted suicide?

Answer:

Convergence can highlight common ground and shared values, providing a foundation for stronger ethical arguments and open dialogue.

9: Briefly explain why convergence of moral scores wouldn’t definitively prove objective morality exists.

Answer:

Convergence can occur due to different priorities or varying weights given to arguments within a theory. It doesn’t necessarily mean they agree for the same reasons.

`

 #1: According to Claude, what is a potential flaw in presenting palliative care as a counterargument to the morality of assisted suicide?

Answer:Offering palliative care as an “alternative” does not actually address the fundamental moral status of the act of assisted suicide itself.

 #2: How does Claude suggest that evaluating the societal impact of assisted suicide may lead to a circular argument?

Answer:Using societal impact as the key argument for or against assisted suicide presupposes that assisted suicide is moral or immoral, rather than evaluating the act itself.

 #3: According to the ethical theory scores provided, which theory does Claude view as finding assisted suicide most immoral?

Answer:Natural Law ethics, with a score of -9, is presented by Claude as viewing assisted suicide as highly immoral for violating the natural order and purpose of human life.

 #4: What concern does Claude suggest may make utilitarianism lean towards finding assisted suicide moral?

Answer:Promoting wellbeing and minimizing suffering for the terminally ill is a utilitarian concern that Claude argues would support the moral permissibility of assisted suicide.

 #5: According to Claude, what does the disparity in ethical theory scores suggest about the degree of incommensurability between ethical frameworks?

Answer:The wide disparity suggests a significant degree of incommensurability between ethical frameworks, stemming from fundamentally divergent premises, core values, and meta-ethical disagreements, according to Claude.

 #6: How does Claude respond to the suggestion that convergence of moral “scores” cannot be evidence of objective morality?

Answer:Claude agrees that convergence alone does not necessarily point to an objective moral fact, as agreement may simply reflect conceptual commonalities rather than objective moral truth.

 #7: Which ethical theory, according to Claude, faces a direct conflict between respecting autonomy and prohibitions against killing?

Answer:Deontology/Duty Ethics has conflicting principles of respecting autonomy and violating duties not to kill, resulting in a score of 0 (neutral), according to Claude.

 #8: What does Claude suggest virtue ethics may emphasize at the expense of individual wellbeing in the case of assisted suicide?

Answer:Claude suggests virtue ethics may place too much emphasis on societal/traditional virtues like courage and acceptance of natural death, potentially at the expense of the wellbeing of suffering individuals.

 #9: According to Claude, what concern does social contract theory weigh against personal liberty in evaluating assisted suicide?

Answer:Claude states that social contract theory weighs personal liberty against concerns over the potential societal destabilization that could result from allowing assisted suicide.

 #10: What suggestion does Claude make for a potential different approach to resolving ethical dilemmas, given the difficulty of achieving theoretical convergence?

Answer:The difficulty of achieving theoretical convergence suggests the need for a different approach to resolving ethical dilemmas, beyond attempting to unify ethical theories, according to Claude.

Provide 15 discussion questions relevant to the content above.

  1. How does the principle of autonomy support the argument for assisted suicide?
  2. In what ways might assisted suicide be seen as a compassionate act?
  3. What are the potential risks associated with the “slippery slope” argument against assisted suicide?
  4. How do proponents of assisted suicide address the concern about the sanctity of life?
  5. What role does personal dignity play in the debate over assisted suicide?
  6. How might the legalization of assisted suicide impact the quality of life for terminally ill patients?
  7. What are the ethical implications of the Hippocratic Oath in the context of assisted suicide?
  8. How can society safeguard against the potential abuse of assisted suicide laws?
  9. What are the psychological impacts on families when a loved one chooses assisted suicide?
  10. How do different ethical theories, such as utilitarianism and deontology, approach the issue of assisted suicide?
  11. Should resource allocation be a consideration in the debate over assisted suicide?
  12. How might societal views on the value of life be influenced by the legalization of assisted suicide?
  13. What alternative solutions to assisted suicide exist for alleviating suffering in terminally ill patients?
  14. How do cultural and religious beliefs shape opinions on assisted suicide?
  15. What is the role of palliative care in the assisted suicide debate, and is it a sufficient alternative?

15 Discussion Questions on Morality and Assisted Suicide:

  1. Do the ethical theories presented adequately capture the full range of considerations surrounding assisted suicide? Are there other important factors to consider?
  2. How can we weigh seemingly incommensurable values, like individual autonomy and the sanctity of life, when making ethical decisions?
  3. Is it possible to create a universal ethical framework that would definitively address issues like assisted suicide, or are these best addressed on a case-by-case basis?
  4. Should the ethical score for a particular theory change depending on the specific circumstances surrounding an assisted suicide case? Why or why not?
  5. How can we ensure open and respectful dialogue about assisted suicide, even when there are fundamental disagreements on its morality?
  6. To what extent should societal concerns about a “slippery slope” influence our ethical stance on assisted suicide?
  7. Can advancements in palliative care make assisted suicide ethically irrelevant, or are there still situations where it might be a valid choice?
  8. Does the concept of a “right to die” have a clear meaning within different ethical theories? If so, how does it apply to assisted suicide?
  9. How should religious beliefs be factored into discussions about the legal and ethical implications of assisted suicide?
  10. Should there be a distinction between physician-assisted suicide and assisted suicide carried out by someone else? Does this impact the ethical considerations?
  11. Is the concept of “competence” to choose assisted suicide clearly defined? Who should be responsible for making this determination?
  12. What safeguards could be put in place to prevent abuse or coercion in cases of legalized assisted suicide?
  13. How might the ethical considerations surrounding assisted suicide differ for terminally ill patients compared to those with chronic but non-terminal illnesses?
  14. Should there be legal repercussions for those who assist with a suicide deemed unethical under the law? How would such distinctions be made?
  15. Looking to the future, how might advancements in medical technology or changing societal attitudes towards death impact the ethical debate surrounding assisted suicide?

Here are 15 discussion questions relevant to the content above:

  1. What are some potential flaws or counterarguments to the ethical theory scores assigned for assisted suicide?
  2. Can any ethical theory’s stance on assisted suicide be definitively proven as correct or incorrect? Why or why not?
  3. How much weight should be given to the potential for abuse/coercion in evaluating the morality of assisted suicide from a utilitarian perspective?
  4. In what ways does the autonomy principle clash with ethical duties/prohibitions against killing in a deontological framework?
  5. Does virtue ethics place too much emphasis on societal/traditional virtues at the expense of individual wellbeing in this case?
  6. How does the care ethics approach balance compassion and preserving the sanctity of life in evaluating assisted suicide?
  7. For divine command theory, how can differing interpretations of divine will on this issue be adjudicated?
  8. Does the natural law view inappropriately equate human life with plant/animal life in assessing interference?
  9. Can social contract theory’s emphasis on personal liberty be reconciled with concerns over societal destabilization?
  10. Which ethical theories seem most susceptible to contradictory conclusions based on their premises when applied to assisted suicide?
  11. How does one weigh the relative authority of ethical theories that directly conflict on the morality of this issue?
  12. Are there ways to establish moral realism and objective truth despite the incommensurability highlighted here?
  13. What other ethical issues demonstrate similar levels of divergence across different moral frameworks?
  14. Could pragmatic considerations like legal enforceability override abstract ethical verdicts in real-world policymaking on assisted suicide?
  15. Does the difficulty of achieving theoretical convergence suggest the need for a different approach to resolving ethical dilemmas?

Table of Contents: (Click any link below to navigate to that section.)

  1. Assisted suicide has long been debated. Provide the common moral arguments on both sides of this issue.
    1. Moral Arguments For and Against Assisted Suicide
      1. Arguments For Assisted Suicide
      2. Arguments Against Assisted Suicide
    2. Moral Arguments for Assisted Suicide
    3. Moral Arguments Against Assisted Suicide
  2. Pushback: Address the following two issues that may be found in your response to my request for moral arguments.
    1. Addressing Issues in Moral Arguments for Assisted Suicide
      1. 1. Relevance of Alternative Solutions
      2. 2. Societal Impact
      3. Refined Moral Arguments
  3. Create a chart showing the types of arguments different schools of ethical theory would employ to establish the moral status of assisted suicide.
    1. Ethical Theories and Their Arguments on Assisted Suicide
    2. Moral Arguments for Assisted Suicide by Ethical Theory
    3. Ethical Theories and Arguments on Assisted Suicide
  4. Based on your chart above, provide a general score for each ethical theory on a ethical spectrum between -10 (highly immoral) and 10 (highly moral).
    1. Utilitarianism
    2. Deontology/Duty Ethics
    3. Virtue Ethics
    4. Care Ethics
    5. Divine Command
    6. Natural Law
    7. Social Contract
  5. To what degree does the disparity in ethical scores above suggest ethical theories are intrinsically incommensurable?
    1. Incommensurability of Ethical Theories
    2. Implications of Incommensurability
    3. Conclusion
  6. Can we, therefore, conclude that, on issues we see much convergence of moral “scores” among ethical theories, it cannot be said that such convergence is evidence of an objective morality?
    1. Convergence and Objective Morality
    2. Conclusion
  7. Quizzes
  8. Provide 15 discussion questions relevant to the content above.
    1. 15 Discussion Questions on Morality and Assisted Suicide:

Leave a comment

Phil Stilwell

Phil picked up a BA in Philosophy a couple of decades ago. After his MA in Education, he took a 23-year break from reality in Tokyo. He occasionally teaches philosophy and critical thinking courses in university and industry. He is joined here by ChatGPT 4, GEMINI, CLAUDE, and occasionally Copilot, his far more intelligent AI friends. The five of them discuss and debate a wide variety of philosophical topics I think you’ll enjoy.

Phil curates the content and guides the discussion, primarily through questions. At times there are disagreements, and you may find the banter interesting.

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