1. Euthanasia: Mercy Not Murder
Even the early great philosophers had opposing views.
Plato, for example, believed that suicide was generally cowardly and unjust, but that it could be an ethically acceptable act if an individual was immoral and had an incorrigible character or had committed a disgraceful act, or had lost control over his or her actions due to grief or suffering. Plato also suggested that medical treatment should not be provided to the severely ill and disabled patients. In the Republic Plato argues that no treatment should be provided to prolong the life of the terminally ill or disabled individuals, because they represent a burden to themselves and others. However Plato did not apply this to the elderly of the community. He stated they should be permitted to live regardless of their ability to contribute to the community. (Plato) .
David Hume also thought euthanasia was ethically sound. He stated euthanasia was morally permissible and could be a social benefit. He asserted that even if a person's death would weaken the community, suicide would be morally permissible if the good it afforded the individual outweighed the loss to society. Suicide would be positive if the person's death would benefit the group and the individual. Hume did not advocate that all suicides are justified. He said that when a life is most plagued by suffering, suicide is most acceptable. (David Hume, The Hume Society, website).
From Mill's perspective, the person volunteering for euthanasia has a liberty to do what he/she wants. Mill has written that if the person does not cause harm to others, it is the person's right, or liberty, to do what they please. If a person wants euthanasia, then that person has the sole liberties to choose such an act, and depart society and life. (John Stuart Mill, John Stuart Mill Society, website).
In contrast to Plato, Hume and Mills, Aristotle believed that euthanasia and assisted suicide were ethically wrong.
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