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

Question

Multiple Choice Question 2:

Which of the following is an example of a deontological argument in support of 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. "The principle of patient autonomy demands that a terminally ill patient who is mentally competent should have the option for medical aid in dying."

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

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

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

Please tell me the correct answer.

Answer 1

Hi Hammad,

Given the premise behind the idea of "Deontology" that the question of morality is based on a set of predetermined rules, my answer would be: A.

The principle of patient autonomy governs how a patient can determine what medical option is best for them - even if it means choosing medical aid in dying. Remember, Deontology is based on a set of rules, the principle of patient autonomy best fits that category, all of the other answer choices do not stipulate any rules but focus more on the ethics of the situation itself.

Hope that helps!