Right or Wrong? Euthanasia

Introduction

In 2000 veteran actor Richard Farnsworth at the age of 80 took his own life rather than allow cancer to consume his final days and force him to become a burden to his family (AP). The news was shocking to some fans of the beloved series Anne of Green Gables, in which Farnsworth had starred as the beloved surrogate father to the eponymous heroine. But others, like comedian Norm Macdonald lauded the star, saying it was noble of him to make that decision for himself and for his family, regardless of what critics thought (Smith). Opponents of euthanasia, which is (in most states) the illegal doctor-assisted suicide of a person, claim that it is immoral and unjustified from an ethical perspectiveleading people like Farnsworth to take drastic measures to end their lives. Opponents note that suicide is never justified, and arguments from various ethical perspectivesfrom virtue ethics to deontology to utilitarianismare used to support their claims. But from the standpoint of Ethical Egoism, which appeals to many in todays relativistic world, suicide can be seen as a logical act that makes sense for some, like those in Farnsworths position. It is the thesis of this paper that, from the standpoint of Ethical Egoism, euthanasia should be legal and available to those who seek that option for themselves. This paper will prove this thesis by explaining ethical egoism, considering the most common objection to this ethical theory, and rebutting it using a simple illustration.

Ethical Egoism

What is Ethical Egoism? When most people consider ethical theories, they think of the good, or of a universal standard or rule that should be or that one can apply in any given situation. In deontology, actions are considered moral to the extent that they conform to the duties and responsibilities one has according to his state in life. In utilitarianism, actions are considered moral to the extent that they yield the greatest common good. In virtue ethics, actions are considered moral to the extent that they contribute to the development of the character in accordance with universal ideals (Holmes). What all of these theories have in common is that they rely to some extent upon a general, objective understanding of what is good. But what happens in a world where there is no general understanding of a universal ideal? Where there is no agreed-upon sense of what is good for all? When what works for one does not work for another? What is one to think of morality when everyone has, for his own reference point, only his own situation, needs, and desires to go upon? In todays world of relativism, the final arbiter of morality is the individual, which is why Ethical Egoism is so popular today: in Ethical Egoism, actions are considered moral to the extent that they conform to ones own self-interest.

Ethical Egoism is the theory that applies best to the issue of euthanasia because it is a theory that emphasizes personal choice and the self-interest of the individual. Other ethical theories emphasize an exalted good, ideal, standard, or rule; they do not necessarily...

…according to the theory of Ethical Egoism, even if they do not always realize it. They justify their own actions based upon the belief that it is good for them to act in a certain way that may not be approved by others. People pick and choose what religious tenants they want to accept; they pick and choose what laws they want to obey (some people, for instance, see no harm in speeding on the highway when they are late for worktheir only concern is whether there is a police car on the side of the road with a radar detector). And some people believe that the right to die is their choice and not something that belongs to anybody else. People can have good reasons for wanting to terminate their lives; they may be terminally ill, as Farnsworth was. They may not want to become a burden to families or to society in general. In some parts of the world and in some US states, euthanasia is legal. But in most states it is not legal. That means people who want to die in a dignified manner with the assistance of doctor do not have that option. Even if they believe it is what is best for themselves in their situation, they are restricted from doing so. And so, when that happens, an individual takes matters into his own hands and ends his life in a less dignified manneras Farnsworth did with a shotgun. But from the perspective of Ethical Egoism, he had every moral right to act…