Question

Which of the following statements is not a conclusive argument to prove that passive euthanasia is morally permissible but active euthanasia is not?

• A. Killing is worse than letting die
• B. The ultimate intention of the agent is most important for moral evaluation
• C. The actual causes of death is relevant
• D. People who can kill constitute a morally worse society than those who let others die

Hint:

If intention is the main basis of moral evaluation, active and passive euthanasia may appear morally similar. Therefore, intention does not strongly prove the difference between them.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Concept:
Euthanasia means intentionally ending or allowing the ending of a person's life in order to relieve suffering. There are two major forms: \[ \text{Active euthanasia} \] and \[ \text{Passive euthanasia} \] Active euthanasia involves direct action to cause death, while passive euthanasia involves withholding or withdrawing treatment.

Step 1: Understand the distinction between active and passive euthanasia.
Those who defend passive euthanasia but reject active euthanasia usually argue that: \[ \text{killing is morally worse than letting die} \] This supports option (A).

Step 2: Check the role of cause of death.
If actual cause of death is considered relevant, then active euthanasia and passive euthanasia may be treated differently. In active euthanasia, the direct cause may be the doctor's act. In passive euthanasia, the disease may be considered the cause of death. So, option (C) supports the distinction.

Step 3: Check the social argument.
The argument that a society allowing killing becomes morally worse than a society allowing people to die is also used to defend the distinction. So, option (D) also supports the distinction.

Step 4: Identify the non-conclusive argument.
If the ultimate intention of the agent is most important, then both active and passive euthanasia may become morally similar. In both cases, the intention may be to end suffering. Therefore, intention alone does not conclusively prove that passive euthanasia is permissible while active euthanasia is not. Hence: \[ \boxed{\text{(B)}} \]