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Better Off Dead

In: Philosophy and Psychology

Submitted By candrews
Words 390
Pages 2
The Greek term euthanasia literally means “good death” (MacKinnon, 164). Many people today heavily support euthanasia because they feel each individual has the right to die. Proponents for euthanasia would agree that by electing to be euthanized the individual not only has the right to die but the right to die with dignity, to end pain and suffering, and to lessen the financial and emotional burdens on their loved ones. In short, proponents rationalize that the ill are simply “better off dead”. Opponents of euthanasia feel that in no way are we “better off dead”. This reasoning goes against our human inclination to live. Euthanasia is irreversible suicide, simply wrong and should not be accepted.
Williams’ article, “The Wrongfulness of Euthanasia” states that in our daily lives we exercise the caution and care necessary to protect ourselves (MacKinnon, 179). Our bodies and mindset were designed to promote life. His article goes on to state we are structured for survival right down to the molecular level. For instance, most of us make attempts to eat well, exercise, take vitamins, and simply try to live life and be as healthy as we can.
For most of us it comes as a major shock when we are stricken with terminal illness. No one wants to think of death or spend our last days suffering from pain. There is no doubt that there are times during an individual’s agony when dealing with pain that they may think, if I were to die I could no longer feel this pain. Many people may immediately think of euthanasia as a means to the end of suffering and being a burden to loved ones. There also may be suggestions from physicians and family members that euthanasia should be a possibility to consider.
It is wrong and unacceptable for euthanasia to be the only means of relief. When an individual even considers suicide or euthanasia physicians and family members

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