Resources for arguing against euthanasia?

[Carrikature]

That's what I am beginning to suspect. I think one can secularly present euthanasia laws as bad social policy for the reasons stated above but that doesn't affect arguing against it in the abstract.

Maybe. If it's me, I'd break out euthanasia at different stages of life and levels of consent. Come to some agreement about what quality of life means and if there's a bare minimum that should be expected.

Different stages of life: pre-natal, infant, toddler, youth, adult, geriatric.
Levels of consent: No consent, 'end of life' plan, parent/guardian, power of attorney, 'right-mind' patient.
Methodology: Doctor-performed, doctor-assisted, patient alone.

I break it out this way because the arguments will vary. I don't know very many people that are willing to allow 'no consent', and power of attorney can be messy. It's a different question for terminal adults and geriatrics than it is for young children or infants born with severe problems.

Personally, I'm fine with it provided it can be shown the patient is terminal, in their right mind, and all reasonable treatments have been tried and failed. With parents/guardians of small children or infants, I think we should be prepared to provide financial assistance if we're going to force them to keep the kid. (I'm generally not in favor of terminating the kid except in some really extreme cases where "is this life" may not have an affirmative answer).

[KingsGambit]

You probably aren't going to be able to win this debate without a Judeo-Christian value set, or at least some 'sanctity of life' concept, as the basis. I think I could come up with a lot of arguments in favor of euthanasia that aren't emotional in the least bit and to which the only real counters are emotional themselves.

That's what I am beginning to suspect. I think one can secularly present euthanasia laws as bad social policy for the reasons stated above but that doesn't affect arguing against it in the abstract.

[Jedidiah]

My apologies. I wasn't aware there was a separate forum for debates.

As I suggested in my PM, read the site rules, and read the forum guidelines.

[Tony48219]

FYI, before this goes too far, this area is strictly pro-life and non-debate. If you want to debate it, start a new thread in apologetics.

My apologies. I wasn't aware there was a separate forum for debates.

[Carrikature]

Exactly. If there are no reasona to oppose slavery in principle, then there are no arguments to oppose voluntary euthanasia in principle.

FYI, before this goes too far, this area is strictly pro-life and non-debate. If you want to debate it, start a new thread in apologetics.

[Tony48219]

I don't think the standard arguments in favor of euthanasia have anything to do with it being against their will. That would be pretty silly.

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[Carrikature]

Countering emotional arguments is tricky. Usually if you can get them to concede that killing someone against their will is wrong the basis collapses when you demand specifics on safeguards.

I don't think the standard arguments in favor of euthanasia have anything to do with it being against their will. That would be pretty silly.

[Carrikature]

(Knowing this thread has been necro'd).

Sorry... I didn't abandon this thread! I started a new overnight job this week and have barely been on.

The Witherspoon Institute link has been tremendously helpful, though I think a protracted debate would probably require more technical detail than any popular-level site would predict. The other link did not seem like it would be quite as useful for addressing the issue from a non-religious standpoint. (I am hoping that anybody who would place stock in Judeo-Christian values in the first place isn't the type who would need convincing.)

You probably aren't going to be able to win this debate without a Judeo-Christian value set, or at least some 'sanctity of life' concept, as the basis. I think I could come up with a lot of arguments in favor of euthanasia that aren't emotional in the least bit and to which the only real counters are emotional themselves.

[Christianbookworm]

Bumping this thread to ask about your thoughts on hospices that cause involuntary euthanasia via morphine overdose.http://www.hospicepatients.org/this-...tening%20Death

Don't know if it needs to be it's own thread, but the idea of being euthanized against one's will sounds horrifying. Passive euthanasia sounds like a worse way to die than active euthanasia. Of course, both are wrong.

[Darth Executor]

I am hoping that anybody who would place stock in Judeo-Christian values in the first place isn't the type who would need convincing.

Why would you? Scripture mentions several suicides. Most of them are stated as facts with no moral judgement, except one, which is Samson Allahu Akbaring the Philistines with God's blessing. Christians certainly debate over less ambiguous things.

[KingsGambit]

Sorry... I didn't abandon this thread! I started a new overnight job this week and have barely been on.

The Witherspoon Institute link has been tremendously helpful, though I think a protracted debate would probably require more technical detail than any popular-level site would predict. The other link did not seem like it would be quite as useful for addressing the issue from a non-religious standpoint. (I am hoping that anybody who would place stock in Judeo-Christian values in the first place isn't the type who would need convincing.)

[Teallaura]

Um, okay, a LOT later....

[Spartacus]

Any updates, KG? Have you found any particularly useful resources?

[Paprika]

Mock the feels.

[Spartacus]

http://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/?s...&submit=Search

http://www.firstthings.com/search?q=euthanasia

There should be some articles in there that will help you.