Question from mik, What Is the Best Outline for an Essay on Assisted Dying Legalization?
Answer from AI:
Essay Outline: “Should Assisted Dying be Legalised?”
Word Count: 2000-2200 words
I. Introduction (approx. 200-250 words)
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Contextual Introduction:
- Briefly explain the concept of assisted dying and its legal and moral significance.
- Highlight the controversy surrounding the issue and its relevance to legal and moral philosophy.
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Importance of the Debate:
- Discuss why the legalisation of assisted dying raises fundamental questions about the role of law, morality, and individual rights.
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Structure of the Essay:
- Outline the key legal and moral philosophical perspectives to be explored (Natural Law, Positivism, Liberty, and their limits).
- State the aim of the essay: to critically discuss whether assisted dying should be legalised from these perspectives.
II. Natural Law Theory and Assisted Dying (approx. 400-450 words)
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Definition and Core Principles:
- Explain Natural Law theory, its origins (e.g., Aquinas), and its emphasis on moral absolutes derived from human nature.
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Application to Assisted Dying:
- Discuss how Natural Law would view assisted dying as inherently wrong due to its violation of the sanctity of life.
- Analyse the argument that human life has intrinsic value and cannot be intentionally ended.
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Critique of Natural Law in this Context:
- Examine criticisms of Natural Law as overly rigid and failing to account for individual circumstances (e.g., terminal illness, unbearable suffering).
- Consider counterarguments about the morality of allowing suffering when death is inevitable.
III. Legal Positivism and the Role of Law (approx. 400-450 words)
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Definition and Core Principles:
- Define Legal Positivism, emphasizing the separation of law and morality and the importance of societal rules and norms.
- Discuss key thinkers like Bentham and Austin.
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Application to Assisted Dying:
- Analyse how Legal Positivism would approach assisted dying as a matter of legal rules rather than moral judgment.
- Discuss the current legal framework in the UK (e.g., Suicide Act 1961, Coroners and Justice Act 2009) and its prohibition of assisted dying.
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Critique of Legal Positivism in this Context:
- Examine the tension between legal rules and moral demands in cases where individuals seek autonomy in dying.
- Consider the argument that law should reflect changing societal norms and ethical values.
IV. Liberty and Autonomy in the Debate (approx. 400-450 words)
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Definition and Core Principles:
- Explain the concept of liberty, focusing on individual autonomy and the right to self-determination.
- Discuss key thinkers like Mill and his harm principle.
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Application to Assisted Dying:
- Argue that liberty supports the legalisation of assisted dying as a matter of personal choice, particularly for terminally ill individuals.
- Discuss the importance of autonomy in medical decision-making.
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Critique of Liberty in this Context:
- Examine the counterargument that liberty has limits, particularly when it involves life-and-death decisions.
- Consider the potential for abuse and the need to protect vulnerable individuals.
V. The Limits of Legal and Moral Frameworks (approx. 300-350 words)
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Natural Law and Its Limits:
- Discuss how Natural Law’s rigidity may fail to account for compassionate considerations in assisted dying cases.
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Legal Positivism and Its Limits:
- Highlight the limitations of Legal Positivism in addressing complex moral dilemmas, where law and morality intersect.
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Liberty and Its Limits:
- Examine the tension between individual autonomy and the need to protect society from potential harms.
VI. Ethical and Moral Considerations Beyond Legal Theory (approx. 300-350 words)
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Sanctity of Life vs. Quality of Life:
- Discuss the ethical debate between preserving life at all costs and allowing individuals to choose death to avoid suffering.
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Moral Philosophy and Compassion:
- Consider the role of compassion and empathy in shaping moral and legal attitudes toward assisted dying.
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Current Proposals and Reforms:
- Briefly discuss recent legal proposals and campaigns for assisted dying in the UK (e.g., Baroness Meacher’s Assisted Dying Bill).
VII. Conclusion (approx. 200-250 words)
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Summary of Key Arguments:
- Recap the main legal and moral philosophical perspectives discussed.
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Final Thoughts:
- Reflect on the complexity of the issue and the need for a balanced approach that considers both legal and moral dimensions.
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Recommendations:
- Suggest the need for further public and parliamentary debate, as well as potential legal reforms.
References and Further Reading (not included in word count)
- Include academic sources, case law (e.g., R (Nicklinson) v Ministry of Justice), and UK legislation.
This outline provides a structured approach to achieving a first-class essay by critically engaging with legal and moral philosophical perspectives. It ensures a balanced analysis of the arguments for and against legalising assisted dying while adhering to the word count requirements.
The answer is written by AI.
The text above is written by AI, i.e., a computer.
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