Which of the following is an example of a deontological argument in opposition to the following statement:

Question

Multiple Choice Question 1:

Which of the following is an example of a deontological argument in opposition to the following statement: "Medical aid in dying is something terminally ill patients who are mentally competent should have access to if they so choose."

a. It is fundamentally against the Hippocratic Oath for a physician to intentionally aid in hastening a patient's death."

b. The principle of patient autonomy demands that a terminally ill patient who is mentally competent should have the option for medical aid in dying.

c. "Denying terminally ill patients who are mentally competent access to medical aid in dying causes those patients to unnecessarily suffer physical pain."

d. "Permitting medical aid in dying for terminally ill patients who are mentally competent may lead to a 'slippery slope' where physicians begin hastening the death of patients in other situations."

Please tell me the correct answer.

Answer 1

A.

Deontology is an ethical principle claiming that an action is morally right or wrong based on its adherence to a moral code, or rule, regardless of the consequences of the action. In a classic example, according to deontology, lying is always wrong, no matter what, because it breaks a moral rule. Even if a lie will make someone feel better or even save a life, it is still wrong to lie.

In this case, option A is the only counterargument that factors in specific moral codes, I.E, the Hippocratic Oath. This oath essentially boils down to "do no harm". By taking the oath literally, helping a patient die or giving them the means to help them die, is considered doing harm. Regardless of how the patient or family feels, it is always wrong because it breaks a moral code. This is consistent with the concept of deontology.