Euthanasia is a complex matter; there are many different types of euthanasia I only know of two. Each which have there own advantages and disadvantages. However, euthanasia of all types has an impact on people. The word "euthanasia" comes from two roots: eu (meaning "good" or "easy") and thanatos (meaning "death"). Interestingly their are individuals that believe in a "good or bad death". Dr. Ned Cassem the head of the Optimum Care Committee, which provides the best care possible for the dying at Massachusetts General Hospital, argues, "there is such a thing as a "good death" (Stein, 20). Cassem plays the role of a mediator between the patient, family members, and the doctors. He assists in laying out all of the possible options that are in the best interest of the patient so that the patients as well as the family members are able to come up with a decision that could provide the patient with a "good death". Cassem states that "a good death, it seems, is one in which the dying put their affairs in order, come together with family and friends, and resolve lingering conflicts. It is also one where the patient at the end is supported by a minimal amount of technology" (Stein, 20). However James Rachel in his article "Active and Passive Euthanasia" states that in regards to a "good death" there are differences between passive or active euthanasia. He agrees with Cassem that all people are entitled to a "good death" which for him is a death without pain. Sidney Hook in his article "In Defense of Voluntary Euthanasia" argues that each individual person has the right, and should be allowed to make his or her own decision as to when they want to die. Leon R. Kass who describes a "good death" as an admirable death makes it very clear in his article that he is against active euthanasia, and that no doctor should have the power to kill. The purpose of this essay is to explain what Cassem means by a "good death", and then I will compare and contrast the ways in which his perspective agrees with or differs from those of the other three authors in the set.
