ToK Presentation - Should We Allow Euthanasia in our

Society?

ToK Presentation - Should We Allow Euthanasia in our

Society?Simon Cereda, Katie Marshall & Jeremy AchkarSimon Cereda, Katie Marshall & Jeremy Achkar

Euthanasia: DefinitionEuthanasia: Definition

Ending a life early

To relieve pain

Allow the subject to die in an easy peaceful manner

Ending a life early

To relieve pain

Allow the subject to die in an easy peaceful manner

Specific Knowledge Issues

Specific Knowledge Issues

Freedom of choice

Rational vs Emotional

Freedom of choice

Rational vs Emotional

Freedom of choiceFreedom of choice

Accepted right amongst us nowadays

Examples through time:

Euthanasia accepted since the Greeks

Even made into rituals by some like Samurai

Modern controversy

Accepted right amongst us nowadays

Examples through time:

Euthanasia accepted since the Greeks

Even made into rituals by some like Samurai

Modern controversy

Nowadays we say that we have a right to make our own choices as long as they do not have negative consequences for others within society

Nowadays we say that we have a right to make our own choices as long as they do not have negative consequences for others within society

Assuming this to be true...

We can do what we want if it does not directly affect anyone else

Euthanasia does not directly affect anyone else

Therefore we can practice euthanasia

Assuming this to be true...

We can do what we want if it does not directly affect anyone else

Euthanasia does not directly affect anyone else

Therefore we can practice euthanasia

However, harbours many critics

People believe it to be outside of our choice

Our lives belong to something else, above our level of control

If we can end our lives however, is this not untrue - we have full access and therefore full rights?

However, harbours many critics

People believe it to be outside of our choice

Our lives belong to something else, above our level of control

If we can end our lives however, is this not untrue - we have full access and therefore full rights?

Ramon SampedroRamon Sampedro

Fought for 29 years for his legal death after accident left him paralysed neck downwards

He WANTED to die

His own life deemed not within his decision making abilities

Fought for 29 years for his legal death after accident left him paralysed neck downwards

He WANTED to die

His own life deemed not within his decision making abilities

Quotes upon the matterQuotes upon the matter

"From the Soviet gulag to the Nazi concentration camps and the killing fields of Cambodia, history teaches that granting the state legal authority to kill innocent individuals has dreadful consequences." ... Pete Du Pont, former Delaware governor

"The fundamental question about euthanasia: Whether it is a libertarian movement for human freedom and the right of choice, or an aggressive drive to exterminate the weak, the old, and the different, this question can now be answered. It is both." ... Richard Fenigsen, Dutch cardiologist

"A man, even if seriously sick or prevented in the exercise of its higher functions, is and will be always a man ... [he] will never become a 'vegetable' or an 'animal,'" the Pope said. "The intrinsic value and personal dignity of every human being does not change depending on their circumstances.“ ... Pope John Paul II, 2004

"From the Soviet gulag to the Nazi concentration camps and the killing fields of Cambodia, history teaches that granting the state legal authority to kill innocent individuals has dreadful consequences." ... Pete Du Pont, former Delaware governor

"The fundamental question about euthanasia: Whether it is a libertarian movement for human freedom and the right of choice, or an aggressive drive to exterminate the weak, the old, and the different, this question can now be answered. It is both." ... Richard Fenigsen, Dutch cardiologist

"A man, even if seriously sick or prevented in the exercise of its higher functions, is and will be always a man ... [he] will never become a 'vegetable' or an 'animal,'" the Pope said. "The intrinsic value and personal dignity of every human being does not change depending on their circumstances.“ ... Pope John Paul II, 2004

Rational vs EmotionalRational vs Emotional

Comes down to argument of rational nature to that of emotional

Pro Euthanasia - Using rational thinking

Against Euthanasia - Using emotional thinking

Comes down to argument of rational nature to that of emotional

Pro Euthanasia - Using rational thinking

Against Euthanasia - Using emotional thinking