On January 1, 2014, Brittany Maynard, of Anaheim, California,was diagnosed with brain cancer. By April, she was given just six months to live. Brittany wanted to have the option of ending her own life with the help of her doctor before the cancer became unbearable, so she moved to Oregon to take advantage of the state’s ‘Death with Dignity’ law. On November 1, 2014, surrounded by family members, Brittany ended her own life by ingesting drugs prescribed by her doctor.
Oregon is currently one of six states in which physician-assisted suicide is legal. In June 2016, California became the fifth state to legalize physician-assisted suicide.
Please write an essay on the following topic…
Do you morally approve or disapprove of California’s decision to legalize physician-assisted suicide?
Your paper should carefully address the following questions:
1. What is physician-assisted suicide, and how does it differ from active and passive euthanasia?
2. Using his article “The Wrongfulness of Euthanasia,” would J. Gay-Williams approve of California’s decision to legalizephysician-assisted suicide? (Why/why not?)
3. Using his article “Active and Passive Euthanasia,” would James Rachels approve of California’s decision to legalize physician-assisted suicide? (Why/why not?)
4. Do you approve of California’s decision to legalize physician-assisted suicide? (Why/why not?)
5. What objections might people have to your view? How do you respond to those objections?
**Your paper should be 5 typed, double-spaced pages and is dueSaturday, November 30 by 11:59 PM. Essays should be uploaded on Blackboard through the Turnitin link. Late essays will be penalized 1 letter grade for each day late (e.g., A → B, C+ → D+, etc.).
Philosophy papers have two parts: exposition and critical analysis
I. Introduction [.5 page]
A. Describe Brittany’s situation.
B. Distinguish euthanasia from physician-assisted suicide.
C. Thesis Statement: “In this paper, I will argue that ______.”
II. Gay-Williams [1 page]
A. Explain Gay-Williams’ view about euthanasia/PAS.
B. Would he approve of California’s decision?
III. Rachels [1 page]
A. Explain Rachels’ view about euthanasia/PAS.
B. Would he approve of California’s decision?
IV. Your View [1.5-2 pages]
A. Explain your view about euthanasia/physician-assisted suicide.
B. Do you approve of California’s decision?
C. Raise and Respond to objections to your view.
1. Objection #1
a. Response to O1
…
V. Conclusion [.5 page]
