Euthanasia is defined as the intentionally termination of the life of a person upon his or her explicit request. Although, in this limited sense, the legislation of active euthanasia, as accepted in April 2001 in The Netherlands, has provoked a lot of debates. It is often said, once voluntary euthanasia has become legal, we will have set foot on a slippery slope that will lead to tolerating other forms of euthanasia, including non-voluntary euthanasia. If true, this is a powerful argument in the battle of those who oppose to the legalization of euthanasia. However, as many facets of the medical practice of euthanasia remain unclear, and no reliable records on the actual practice of euthanasia exist, the power of any slippery slope argument is limited. Experience in The Netherlands may shed light on both sides of the medal. This paper consists of four parts. First, I explain the laws that control euthanasia in The Netherlands and elucidate the cultural background in which they originated. Second, I examine more closely the argument of the slippery slope and distinguish a logical and an empirical version. Thirdly, I concentrate on whether experiences in The Netherlands justify any concern about the slippery slope argument. Finally, by addressing questions like “Could euthanasia be safely regulated in other countries?” or “Has legalizing euthanasia set off knock-on effects?” I conclude briefly that Dutch experiences certainly justify some caution.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Dutch legislation on euthanasia
- Elements of Dutch culture related to legalization of euthanasia
- The use of the slippery slope argument
- The logical slippery slope
- The empirical slippery slope
- Can the Dutch Euthanasia Law be used as a model by other countries?
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the legalization of euthanasia in the Netherlands, particularly focusing on the 'slippery slope' argument. The paper aims to analyze the Dutch legislation on euthanasia, explore the cultural context that led to its legalization, and investigate whether the Dutch experience provides evidence to support the slippery slope argument. The key themes explored in this work include:- The legalization of euthanasia in the Netherlands and its cultural context.
- The slippery slope argument and its application to euthanasia.
- Empirical evidence from the Dutch experience regarding the potential for a slippery slope.
- The implications of the Dutch model for other countries considering legalizing euthanasia.
- The ethical and moral considerations surrounding euthanasia.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of the ethical and moral debate surrounding euthanasia, highlighting the arguments for and against its legalization. It discusses the concept of euthanasia as a means of ending suffering and the concerns surrounding the potential for abuse. The chapter sets the stage for examining the specific case of the Netherlands.
- Dutch legislation on euthanasia: This chapter traces the legal history of euthanasia in the Netherlands, beginning with the "Postma case" in the early 1970s. It explores the development of Dutch law and the establishment of guidelines for physician-assisted euthanasia. This chapter sheds light on the cultural and legal context that shaped the legalization of euthanasia in the Netherlands.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This paper focuses on the complex and multifaceted issue of euthanasia, particularly exploring the legal and ethical implications of its legalization in the Netherlands. Key themes include physician-assisted euthanasia, the slippery slope argument, empirical evidence, cultural context, and the potential for a model for other countries.- Quote paper
- Elena Belle (Author), 2011, Is there any evidence from the Netherlands euthanasia expierience that legiliying euthanasia creates a slippery slope?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/184736
