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Articles by Michael Whelan SM, PhD

 

 

Euthanasia: Some Questions & Issues Arising

JEuthanasia

Euthanasia: Some Questions & Issues Arising
Michael Whelan SM

Euthanasia is well and truly on the agenda in Australia and it is becoming increasingly difficult to sort out the fact from the fiction. Claims and counter-claims are made. Yet, the subject demands reasoned conversation and finely nuanced thinking.
To begin with I will indicate four factors that make the reasoned conversation and nuanced thinking difficult in our culture:
1. Because the issues and questions concerning euthanasia arise in the context of suffering and death, it is not surprising that the discussion of euthanasia sometimes raises strong emotions. This can make it difficult to maintain a focus on what is really at stake here.

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Euthanasia: Some Questions & Issues Arising

JEuthanasia2

A Paper by Michael Whelan SM PhD
Revised May 2021

“Neither will I administer a poison to anybody when asked to do so, nor will I suggest such a course”

(The Oath of Hippocrates, n 15)

Euthanasia is well and truly on the agenda in Australia and it is becoming increasingly difficult to sort out the fact from the fiction. Claims and counter-claims are made. The subject demands reasoned conversation and finely nuanced thinking. There is a lot at stake.

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