Hook's Case The Doctor example essay topic

Euthanasia is a private decision that has to be made in unbearable times. It also is a controversial topic in which people on both sides seem to want their will put on the rest of society. One thing we have to keep in mind here is unless you are facing the decision yourself than it is very difficult to say what should happen. It is interesting in the second reading by Sidney Hook that he chose to die during his ordeal and was refused by the doctor treating him. The doctor proclaimed that he would be thankful one day that he was not allowed to die. He looked deep inside himself and still chose to end his suffering.

It turned out that he survived and made a remarkable recovery. Even though, he still says, "Each one should be permitted to make his own choice-especially when no one else is harmed by it. The responsibility for the decision, whether deemed wise or foolish, must be with the chooser". (404.5). His doctor did not know he would recover for certain and could not see inside of him to determine his breaking point. Yet the doctor decided he would not assist him in dying.

Ems 2 The third reading by Ernest van den Haag made me realize that people have the right to decide, but the doctors have the right to decide not to participate. This point is illustrated when Haag states, "But why should we enforce the gratification of this wish on those who, for whatever reason, decide not to gratify it?" (408.1). Applied to Sidney Hook's case the doctor was perfectly right by not helping him end his suffering. Doctors should not have to be forced to aid someone in killing themselves nor should they have to kill the person because the person wants to die.

Hook should have been able to request another doctor's assistance to carry out the task. This reading also made me think that if the doctors have the right to end patients lives would they abuse it? Would this be a free ticket to commit murder? The doctor could say that the patient requested to die while in intense pain and the doctor complied. Haag states, .".. once we allow doctors to shorten the life of patients who request it, doctors could and would wantonly kill burdensome patients who do not want to die". (409.4).

There should be a rule in place that the patient is not allowed to die unless some solid means of proof is made, like a video tape of the patient requesting to die or numerous next of kin witnessing a signed request. Another issue to consider is that a doctor could kill a patient at any time and cover it up. This is an everyday threat and a chance you take every time you place yourself in a doctor's care. We have put our trust into doctors and we have to hope they will not take advantage of us at our weakest point. We have to hope they will abide by their Hippocratic oath and not be as Charles Ems 3 Krauthammer stated, "Once given power heretofore reserved to God, some exceeded their narrow mandate and acted like God". (417.3).

As a strong Christian, it is hard to accept people should be allowed to kill themselves or a doctor should be allowed to kill people. I cannot force my beliefs on others and if I was not to allow it to be a personal decision then I would be. America was founded on freedoms and rights. Everyone has the choice to do things in their life. Some are accepted by society and others are not. Those choices that harm others should not be allowed to go un-punished.

This is the only way we can keep a peaceful society where everyone can enjoy and exercise their rights. This means that the choices people make that only effect them are to be decided by them. God enlightens his chosen ones with knowledge granted from him. We are all on our own journey and have different relationships with God. Some people do not even believe in the same God as us nor do some believe in God at all.

These people should still be afforded the same rights as everyone else and be allowed to decide what is right for them. We ourselves would be playing God by forcing them to believe in what we believe in. Every person in this world will have to answer individually for his or her sins and therefore should be given the right to choose what he or she constitutes sin. A person should have the right to choose to kill him or herself or allow a medically certified doctor humanitarian ly kill them..