Should Physcian-Assisted Suicide be Legal :: essays research papers

Should Physician-Assisted Suicide be Legal? Terminally ill patients should have the legal option of physician-assisted suicide. Terminally ill patients deserve the right to control their own death. Legalizing assisted suicide would relive families of the burdens of caring for a terminally ill relative. Doctors should not be prosecuted for assisting in the suicide of a terminally ill patient. We as a society must protect life, but we must also recognize the right to a humane death. When a person is near death, in unbearable pain, they have the right to ask a physician to assist in ending their lives. 40 percent of Americans say they would consider committing suicide if they were in severe pain, suffering from an incurable disease. 40 percent of Americans also say they would help a family member, in the same situation, kill them selves. But only 12 percent say they thought of killing them selves. In 1950, fewer than four in ten Americans supported physician-assisted suicide. Today seven in ten support it. Some people think that people who are in mental anguish are going to be able to get a physician to assist in their suicide. This should not and will not happen, because they are not terminally ill and are able to be treated with therapy. There are problems with the title â€Å"Terminally ill patient† but there is a way to fix it. We must change the definition for â€Å"A Terminally ill patient† to: having an expected life span under 3 months, there is absolutely no way of helping the patient and are doomed to die. But a patient has to suffering from severe pain and be terminally ill to be able to get a physician to assist in their suicide. Although widely condoned around the world, only one nation, the Netherlands has made physician assisted suicide legal. Five states tried Washington in 1991, California in 1992, Michigan in 1998,and main in 2000, Oregon in 1994 approved the â€Å"Death with Dignity Act† it won 51 percent to 49 percent. 91 people committed suicide with the aid of a physician in the first four years the law was in effect. The approach of physician-assisted suicide respects an individual’s need for personal dignity. It does not force the terminally ill patient to linger hopelessly, and helplessly, often at great cost to their psyche. It drive’s people mad knowing they are going to die in a short period of time, suffering while they wait in a hospital bed.

Francis Bacon and Plato Essay

The arguments presented by both Francis Bacon and Plato both call for different approaches in pursuing knowledge. In doing this, one must be accurately point out the important facets present in each argument and deduce what style is appropriate for an individual’s use. Looking at Francis Bacon’s arguments, it can be said that he is focused on the progression of ideas that will lead to the acquisition of knowledge. However, the ‘form’ that Bacon advocates differs to the original meaning proposed by Plato. He further advocates that the ‘form’ must be attained to gain knowledge. As long as man continues to strive for the form, knowledge will soon follow. On the other hand, Plato’s dialogue focuses on the way knowledge is achieved through the process of remembering the past. Socrates used this analysis in checking the validity of such argument. He makes a philosophical connection between knowledge and virtue. Thus, it has been contended that knowledge is virtue – creating the possibility of teaching. Seeing the two approaches in a nutshell, I believe that there must be a collaborative consensus between the two theories. It may be true that we must constantly strive for the form that Bacon advocates and at the same time use natural forces and mechanisms that can help achieve knowledge. However, Plato’s arguments can also shed some important light in the analysis of obtaining knowledge. But seeing that I must choose between the two, the argument presented by Francis Bacon I believe presents a more valid approach. I believe my answer is correct since believe that man continues to struggle for existence. Man continuous life depends on each one’s ability to grasp knowledge through mechanisms and processes that will help each one to survive. The different laws that govern us remain to be manifested and shown. The tendency of man to move forward and accept challenges should be the case. This is contrary to the view of Plato that one must look back to gain knowledge. In conceiving a central purpose in human life, there must be a conscious effort by an individual for continuous development to cope with the changing times. In my own perspective, I feel that the central purpose of living a life is continuous learning by acquiring knowledge and experiences that will benefit my individual growth as time passes. This event can only take place if the individual is continuously aware that he/she has the capability of shaping his/her personality. Looking at this, it can be argued that there are several characteristics of a well-lived, fulfilling life. In my own opinion, a well-lived fulfilling life must create opportunities for each individual to constantly struggle and be victorious. This is because for every success and failure in a struggle, certain inputs are obtained by an individual. These are experiences distinct only to individuals which foster the creation of knowledge. Another characteristic is that individuals must constantly strive for their betterment. We do not become stagnant and a waste in the society and community. Another characteristic of knowledge is that it can create a degree of completeness to an individual. By gaining knowledge, the questions that men aspire can be answered or attained. The pursuit of knowledge is attaining these purposes because of knowledge capability to raise and increase the quality of thinking by individuals. Continuity is thus necessary in creating the environment for knowledge for individuals. In addition, by gaining knowledge, we expand our purpose and existence. It may be known that during our conception, the only thing we cater is our own. But as we continually grow in age and maturity, the levels of understanding and knowledge extend not only in scope but also each one’s abilities. In the end, knowledge gives individuals the opportunity to explore more what life has to offer.

The Truth About Virtue - 1548 Words

Lillian Hazen Desiring the Truth To wish, to long for, to crave, to want; to desire. It seems as though we go through our whole lives wanting what we know will make us feel more whole, more of ourselves; more of who we are. And whether what we want is seen as bad or good, we still have that desire. It’s in our nature. It is simply what we want. And acquiring the object of one’s desire makes one feel whole. It’s true. Socrates said it best; â€Å"all men desire good things† (Plato 77C). What lead him to that conclusion? In his debate with Meno, Socrates and Meno attempted to define virtue. In Meno’s third definition of virtue, he claims that it is â€Å"to desire beautiful things and have the power to secure them† (Plato 77B). Socrates stopped Meno and asked him what he meant by desiring good things; does every man desire what is good? In his attempt to explain his position to Meno, Socrates made a three-premise modus ponens argument that is as follows. The first premise states that either bad can be seen in a good light by the individual committing what others may see as a bad act, or bad can be harmful as described in 78A. With this statement, I agree. The second statement is a little trickier; Harm leads to misery and unhappiness (Plato 78A). And the third premise states that nobody wants to be miserable or unhappy; the opposite of desiring good things (Plato 78A). While I agree with Socrates’ claim that all men desire good things, I disagree with the second premise of saidShow MoreRelatedPlato s Meno And Nietzsche On Truth And Lie1720 Words   |  7 PagesIn Plato’s Meno and in Friedrich Nietzsche’s On Truth And Lie In An Extra-Moral Sense, both writers touch upon the theme of â€Å"truth† and â€Å"knowledge†. In Meno, Plato writes of a dialogue between his late mentor, Socrates and politician Meno. In the Meno dialogue, through a dialectical method, Socrates’s manages to prove to Meno h e knows nothing of virtue while On Truth And Lie In An Extra-Moral Sense, Nietzsche analyzes how language isn’t â€Å"truth† and Knowledge is an invention as a means of survivalRead MoreComparison of Plato, Aquinas, Aristotle and Augustine1464 Words   |  6 PagesPlato Truth and Reality- And isnt it a bad thing to be deceived about the truth, and a good thing to know what the truth is? For I assume that by knowing the truth you mean knowing things as they really are. Truthfulness. He will never willingly tolerate an untruth, but will hate it as much as he loves truth... And is there anything more closely connected with wisdom than truth? (Plato, 380BC) Reason Reason is knowledge of things like mathematics but which require that some postulatesRead MoreWhat Is Philosophy According to Socrates Essay970 Words   |  4 PagesWhat is philosophy according to Socrates? 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(Plato, 380BC) Reason Reason is knowledge of things like mathematics but which require that some postulatesRead MorePhil 201 Study Guide Lesson 10 Essay864 Words   |  4 Pagesthe study of epistemology and then presents an approach to epistemology that focuses on obtaining the intellectual virtues, a point we will elaborate on in the next lesson. Tasks View and take notes of the presentation, â€Å"What is Knowledge?† * Describe the 3 different ways we use the term know. ACQUAINTANCE, A SKILL, TRUTH CLAIMS (PROPOSITION KNOWLEDGE- MAKES A CLAIM ABOUT REALITY) * Explain the traditional definition of knowledge from Plato. JUSTIFIED TRUE BELIEF---2 options- believeRead MoreNicomachean Ethics1035 Words   |  5 PagesTopic 1: In Book II of the Nicomachean Ethics Aristotle defines virtue as â€Å"the mean relative to us.† In separate paragraphs, please describe briefly the basic notion of virtue as a mean, and then explain why he believes that such a mean is relative to us. Provide quotations/examples to support your claims. Include a final paragraph in which you explain your views on this issue of relativity. Be sure to take into consideration the counter-arguments we discussed in class. The mean is relativeRead MorePlato vs. Aristotle: Virtue1656 Words   |  7 Pagesdiffering views on virtue extensively throughout many of their works. Although they agree that virtue is a desirable characteristic that will lead to happiness, the ultimate good, there exists between the two philosophies salient differences. While Plato believes only philosophers are capable of true, inherent virtue, Aristotle believes all men can be virtuous with practice and dedication. GREAT. WAY TO GET TO THE POINT. BE SURE TO MENTION WHETHER OR NOT YOURE ARGUING THAT VIRTUE IS INTRINSICALLYRead MoreDifference Between Socrates And Protagoras927 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"sophist† and â€Å"philosopher† can be used interchangeably, the two professions were, in fact, quite unlike. For one, sophists were often perceived as masters of the art of deception and manipulation. True charlatans of the time, sophists held false beliefs about the world around them, yet they were not hesitant to share their â€Å"knowledge† with others-especially when a hefty sum of money was promised in return. Though their teachings were rarely based on solid evidence, sophists, like Protagoras, gained a ratherRead MoreEssay about Meno and the Socratic Method1413 Words   |  6 Pagesaround a central question: If virtue can be taught, then how? And if not, then how does virtue come to man, either by nature or some other way? Socrates addresses this inquiry by questioning a person who claims to understand the term’s meaning (Platos Meno). The purpose of this essay is to relate the Socratic method performed by Socrates in Plato’s dialogue The Apology, to Meno, by illustrating its effect on the character Meno himself. After questioning Meno about virtue, Socrates comes to the conclusionRead MorePlato s The Apology Of Socrates874 Words   |  4 Pagesbelieved what makes a man worthy of life is that he lives up to what is best in him as a man. Therefore this quote can be better translated as, â€Å"the unexamined life is not a worthy life for a man to live†. Socrates believes a good or worthy man has virtue. Virtue is behavior showing high moral standards such as honor and nobility. An unexamined life is one that does not examine oneself for these characteristics but claims to have wisdom. This unexamined life can be also compared to living your life on