Passive Euthanasia and Bioethics: Moral Intentionality in Cases of Treatment Withdrawal
Abstract
This article examines the ethical complexities surrounding passive euthanasia, specifically focusing on the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment. The author argues that modern scientific progress has shifted the focus from a traditional fear of death to a demand for "well-being" (eu-zein) and human dignity. The study explores the distinction between "killing" and "letting die," analyzing the moral intentionality (skopothesia) behind medical decisions in end-of-life care. Drawing on the theories of Baruch Brody and others, the paper investigates whether withdrawing treatment should be classified as euthanasia or as a recognition of the limits of medical intervention. The author concludes that bioethics must provide a framework that balances technological capabilities with the preservation of the patient's quality of life and autonomy, moving toward a "map of progress" that accounts for both logic and morality.
Article Details
- How to Cite
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Dakrotsis, D. (2020). Passive Euthanasia and Bioethics: Moral Intentionality in Cases of Treatment Withdrawal . Ηθική. Περιοδικό φιλοσοφίας, (6), 16–23. https://doi.org/10.12681/ethiki.22695
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- No. 6 (2008)
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- Articles
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