• Monash bioethics review · Apr 2002

    Euthanasia, double effect, and proportionality.

    • Lawrence Johnson.
    • Department of Philosophy, Flinders University, Australia.
    • Monash Bioeth Rev. 2002 Apr 1; 21 (2): 23-34.

    AbstractI discuss the Principle of Double Effect (PDE) as a means of exploring aspects of the motivation of active voluntary euthanasia (a.v.e). It is argued that the objective of a.v.e. is not death but the relief of suffering. Nor is death the means, it is a concomitant. I entertain no hope of convincing the typical proponent of PDE that a.v.e. is morally acceptable. However, I point out that a central strength of the PDE is its insistence on due proportionality between outcomes. When a.v.e. is appropriate, as sometimes it is, death is not out of proportion to the relief of suffering.

      Pubmed     Copy Citation     Plaintext  

      Add institutional full text...

    Notes

     
    Knowledge, pearl, summary or comment to share?
    300 characters remaining
    help        

    hide…

What will the 'Medical Journal of You' look like?

Start your free 21 day trial now.

We guarantee your privacy. Your email address will not be shared.