The Legalization Of Physician Assisted Suicide - 976 Words

Research Paper With an advancing medical field, new technology allows doctors to do almost the impossible. Automatic genetic analysis, restoration of eyesight, and robotic limbs remain as some of the most cutting edge innovative technology in the medical field. Society witnesses the creation of even more medical breakthroughs, however, the application of new found research enhances and prolongs the quality of life for humans. A growing elderly population prompts the progression of superior palliative care and hospice care. While end of life care attempts to make the last months of a person’s life as comfortable as possible, ultimately palliative and hospice care become ineffective in helping with the excruciating pain. Thus, the legalization of physician assisted suicide provides a compassionate death while preserving the concept of patient autonomy. Physician-assisted suicide enables terminally ill patients to die comfortably and peacefully in their own homes. Terminally ill patients suffer through constant pain in their final months, and there remains a â€Å"residual obligation to relieve suffering† when palliative and hospice care reach a stagnant point (Quill). Patients will reach a point where the value of life weighs against the consistent suffering they endure on daily basis. Those seeking physician assisted suicide maintain the ability to forcibly starve themselves by declining food and drink. It takes more energy for terminally ill patients to push themselves toShow MoreRelatedThe Legalization Of Physician Assisted Suicide1265 Words   |  6 PagesParker March, 14, 2015 Assisted Suicide Introduction There are several ethical and legal issues that are raised by the majority concerning the legalization of physician assisted suicide and the role of nurses in the process. Assisted suicide is a legal act of assisting those who are suffering from a deadly illness in ending their lives by providing them the means to do it (Griffith, 2014). Netherland was the first country to legalize physician assisted suicide. In 1994, Oregon becameRead MoreThe Legalization Of Physician Assisted Suicide1720 Words   |  7 PagesIt is obvious discussing physician-assisted suicide is a very controversial issue that is discussed daily by those who wish to die to avoid loss of dignity and also by those who think it is unethical. For physician-assisted suicide to even be considered, the patient must be of sound mind when they are requesting death with dignity. Physician-assisted suicide should be a legal option for people who are unable to end their own lives. However, there should be safeg uards to prevent any sort of abuseRead MoreThe Legalization Of Physician Assisted Suicide1984 Words   |  8 PagesAnthony Zhang 4.29.15 Period 3B Living in Pain or Death with Dignity The legalization of physician assisted suicide (PAS) in Oregon in 1994 changed the face of the argument between those who believe in death with dignity and those who believe in letting nature take its course. It was a major victory for PAS advocates as the first state in America had legalized PAS in the country’s history. In 2008, the neighboring state of Washington followed suit with a similar law and legalized PAS by a 58-42Read MoreLegalization Of Physician Assisted Suicide820 Words   |  4 Pageslegalize physician-assisted death within a year. Physician-assisted suicide (PAS), in simple words, means doctors prescribe a lethal dose of medication that patients take themselves. The question that whether the Criminal Code provisions should prohibit physician-assisted suicide has been discussed in public for several decades. Actually, decriminalizing PAS may cause some sorts of abuses, but not decriminalizing it would make more patients dying with excruciating pain. Many doctors and physicians thinkRead MoreThe Need for the Legalization of Physician-Assisted Suicide2485 Words   |  10 Pagesprevent death. Many people turn to a procedure known as Physician-Assisted suicide, a process by which a doctor aids in ending a terminally ill patient’s life. This procedure is painless and effective, allowing patients to control their death and alleviate unnecessary suffering. In spite of these benefits, Physician-Assisted suicide is illegal in many places both nationally and internationally. Despite the fact that Physician-Assisted suicide is opposed by many Americans and much of the world onRead MoreThe Legalization of Physician-Assisted Suicide Essay2393 Words   |  10 PagesSupport for the participation of physicians in the suicides of terminally ill patients is increasing. Much of the controversy surrounding physician-assisted suicide however focuses on the debate over whether the practice should be legalized. A woman suffering from cancer became the first person known to die under the law of physician-assisted suicide in March of 1998. In 1994, voters in Oregon approved a referendum called the Death with Dignity Act, which was enacted in 1997. This law allows patientsRead MoreLEGALIZATION OF ASSISTED SUICIDE IN THE U.S. Currently, physician-assisted suicide or death is2900 Words   |  12 PagesLEGALIZATION OF ASSISTED SUICIDE IN THE U.S. Currently, physician-assisted suicide or death is illegal in all states except Oregon, Vermont, Montana and Washington. Present law in other states express that suicide is not a crime, but assisting in suicide is. Supporters of legislation legalizing assisted suicide claim that the moral right to life should encompass the right to voluntary death. Opponents of assisted suicide claim that society has a moral and civic duty to preserve the lives of innocentRead MoreThe Controversial Debate On Legalization Of Physician Assisted Suicide1290 Words   |  6 Pagesis your life and no one else’s, right? This is the question at the very center of the controversial debate on the legalization of physician assisted suicide in the United States. Anti-physician assisted suicide groups often argue that no individual truly wants to end their life. However, that statement does not ring true to those who would actually utilize physician assisted suicide- terminally ill patients. Imagine being diagnosed with a terminal disease, followed by months and sometimes years ofRead MoreEthical Considerations in Dealing with Changes in the Healthcare System929 Words   |  4 Pagesconsideration that creates controversial discussion is the subject of physician-assisted suicide. Physician-assisted suicide is described as the act in which a physician provides the means necessary for the client to perform the act of suicide. The issue of physician-assisted suicide is viewed through many different perspectives. The topic of physician-assisted suicide has been debated since the development of medicine. Physician-assisted suicide was first legalized in the United States in Oregon in 1997.Read MoreShould Physician Assisted Suicide Be Legalized?1426 Words   |  6 PagesPhysician assisted suicide is also known as assisted suicide. It is a very controversial procedure. It is not favored by many. However, in present day society is little bit inclined towards assisted suicide. There is ongo ing debate on the legalization of assisted suicide. The main reason to oppose of assisted suicide is the fear of mistreatment of the patient, abuse of power and so on. In contrary, many see assisted suicide as a way to decrease pain in the end of life.

The Priest And The Great King By Lisbeth S. Fried - 862 Words

The Priest and the Great King by Lisbeth S. Fried faces the question as to how the Persians dealt with the Jews after the absorption of Judea from the conquest of Babylon. The texts from Hebrew sources suggested the Persian had a sense of reverence for the Jews which was unlike the others. Attempting to use sources other than the Tanach is difficult as there is not much in the way of Persian sources concerning the Jews and Judea but there is some. The province of Judea was called Yehud under Persian rule, and may have been called such under Babylonian rule. The primary source of Persian kindness to the Jews was found in the proclamation made by Cyrus. While there is a Persian record of the decree, the actual language is different than how it is shown in the Tanach. The Cyrus cylinder does not suggest Yehud was singled out as being freed from slavery nor were they singled out as being permitted to rebuild temples which were destroyed under Babylonian rule . All of this opens the door for Frieds’s main question, how did Yehud’s government change from the time of conquest under Babylon to the arrival of Alexander the Great. Was it due to some autonomy given by the king or was it in spite of rules placed by the king, was this change unique; was there a change at all? The physical damage was minimal, but the psychological damage caused by the destruction of the temple and the exile of the priests, royal family, and other like individuals was significant. After Babylon was

Machiavelli as a Humanist free essay sample

A humanist is defined as one who is concerned with the interests and welfare of humans. Niccolo’ Machiavelli can be thought of as a humanist. Although opinions on this differ greatly depending on whom you speak with. Machiavelli’s life consists of so many examples and lessons that he has learned throughout his life. Through my paper, I intend to examine his perception of morality based on his political writings and life experiences. Niccolo’ Machiavelli was born on May 3, 1469 and died in 1527. Although we do not know much about his early life, we know that he was educated according to the humanist ideals of the Renaissance. He was trained at an early age by a latin teacher named Paolo da Ronciglione. He spent his youth in the city of Florence which suffered from continuous political instability. Machialvelli, a humanist, had a practical approach to politcs. He came up with the idea that â€Å"the end justifies the means†. He argued that whether a government is â€Å"good†, can only be determined by looking at whether it is effective. 5 Machiavelli worked under the Republican government led by Piero Soderini. In 1512 when the Spanish troops defeated the republican army the Medici family took over rule of Florence. As a result Machiavelli was put into internal exile. In 1513 he was wrongly accused of conspiring against the Medici family. He was then imprisoned and tortured for several weeks. Afterwards he lived in a small town outside of Florence. It was then that he began his literary career by writing one of his most remembered and debated books called â€Å"The Prince†. It is also one of the most famous works in the history of political philosophy. His experiences as a young man were reflected in his work. â€Å"The Prince† has often been read as a book that promotes a sly and mean way of attaining political power. However, he discerns that morals are very important even though political action sometimes go beyond moral considerations. 5 He also wrote poems and plays and other well known books such as, â€Å"The Art of War†. In â€Å"The Prince†, he asks the question who is a better ruler, the one who is loved by his subjects or the one who is feared by them? 5 Ma chiavelli felt that it would be good to be both of them but if you had to choose then fear would be the best choice out of the two. He made observations about the conduct of political leaders and whether or not they were able to achieve their goals. He then gave recommendations based on these considerations. It is not obvious what he expected to achieve by writing â€Å"The Prince†. According to his writings, he did not believe that Christianity should play a role in government. He believed that it hindered the states power to govern. Machiavelli asserts, the state needs to restrict the power of the church, allowing it to exercise its office only in the spiritual realm. 4 Traditional political theory incorporated â€Å"God† as a way of ensuring stability. Machiavelli did not agree with this. He believed that the power of the state was more important than the moral law of God. One of his most famous passages from his book â€Å"The Prince† reads, â€Å"If all men were good this precept would not be a good one but as they are bad and would not observe their faith with you, so you are not bound to keep faith with them. † 4 It was because of such bold statements that â€Å"The Prince† was put on a prohibited book list by the Catholic church and possibly why today the word â€Å"Machiavellian† means devious or unscrupulous in political dealings. 4 Machiavelli believed that power is best kept intact when the ruler understands that it is power that keeps them strong and not external influences such as religion. He did not promote violence for the sake of itself. He promoted doing whatever it took to keep the state strong and powerful. This was a view similarly shared by one of our modern day activists, Malcom X. In approximately the last 500 years â€Å"The Prince† became a favorite book of numerous political leaders such as Louis XIV, Napoleon Bonaparte and Benito Mussolini mainly due to the technical lessons to be learned from it. He used the term virtu’ in his book â€Å"The Art of War† which is a dialogue on military affairs. It describes the great ability of a general who is able to adapt to various battlefield conditions as they present themselves. It is said that the most vilified of political thinkers is also the one of whom it has been said that he concentrated all his real and supreme values in what he called virtu’. 6 What he meant by this was that a prince would have to develop a different psychology than what he is used to. The â€Å"new† prince is â€Å"prepared to vary his conduct as the winds of fortune and changing circumstances constrain him and not deviate from the right conduct if possible, but be should be capable of ntering upon a path of wrong doing when it becomes necessary†. 7 Some ninety years ago Villari said that Machiavelli always use the word virtue in the sense of courage and energy both for good and evil. To Christian virtue in its more general meaning, he rather applied the term goodness, and felt much less admiration for it than for the pagan virtue that was always fruitful of glory. 2 Although the political life of Niccolo Machiavelli is quite interesting when analyzing his views on government and religion, his personal life and experiences were equally a representation of him as a humanist. He was described by some as never offensive and possessing a genuine understanding of human weakness. Niccolo formed a quite distinct perception of life formulated with generosity and a passion for great deeds. He understood the life lessons of human malice. He learned this through his own personal experiences. Although Machiavelli was only nine years old at the time he remembered hearing people talk about the political events taking place involving the Medici family who ruled Florence at that time. Cosimo de’ Medici the elder had impoverished or banished anyone who he believed due to their wealth or influence may obstuct his plans. 1 Cosimo was willing to do â€Å"whatever it took† to ensure absolute power of the state. He believed that if you want to expand your power politically you can not always follow the Christian principals of morality. Cosimo eventually died and was succeded by his son, Piero who also passed away after only 1 month as the head of the Medici regime. The regime was then headed by Piero’s two sons, Lorenzo and Giuliano. Giuliano was later killed in a conspiracy that was created to kill him and his brother Lorenzo. Lorenzo fled to his escape. Once in his early twenties Machiavelli heard the sermons of a Dominican friar named Girolamo Savonarola. However, he did not share the views of Savonarola. Savonarola belived that the sins of a people have their roots in the behavior of princes. 8 Since Machiavelli did believe that Savonarola was a prophet albeit a liar, he always spoke of him with respect but never became one of his followers. According to Machiavelli, Savonarola made quite a few political mistakes. He allowed the death of 5 Florentines to occur with out defending their right to an appeal by using a new law that Savonarola himself had encouraged the passage of. In reality as Machiavelli later wrote, the fact that the friar had neither endorsed their right to appeal nor condemned their execution â€Å"harmed his reputation† more than any other action. 9 After the death of Savonorola, Machiavelli was nominated as secretary of the Second Chancery which handled the dominions and foreign affairs of Florence. His job was to keep the Signoria and the Ten informed on military and political problems so they could make appropriate decisions. He was a highly unusual chief who knew how to transform his subordinates into friends. 10 This became apparent in letters written by his subordinates. Niccolo’ had a lively curiosity and his wit brought laughter to the members of the Chancery. In July 1499, his job became increasingly difficult when he was sent on his second mission to meet Caterina Sforza Riario. He was sent there to persuade her to accept the renewal of the contract for her son Ottaviano Riario to fight for Florence in the reconquest of Pisa without the increase of salary that she was requesting. 11 Although she liked Florence she refused. Niccolo’ then tried to convince the Signoria that Caterina would be more persuaded it they performed deeds instead of words. Deeds such as paying their old debts and offering better conditions in exchange for using her sons troops. Caterina was always concerned about â€Å"matters of honor,’ which she held â€Å"above all things. † 12 Machiavelli undoubtedly admired her behavior. He also admired her beauty and intelligence. He believed that he had convinced her to settle for a verbal promise instead of a written commitment, however, she soon informed him that she needed a written commitment from Florence. He was undoubtedly surprised and hurt probably due to the fact that he had already told the Signoria that she had agreed and now this made him look bad. In any case, Caterina remained without the protection of Florence, which did not lift a finger when Cesare Borgia laid siege to Forli. 13 Once her fortress was taken she was held for two weeks. Machiavelli wrote about her again in his book called the â€Å"Discourses†. He told the story of a strong woman abducted with her children. Machiavelli also mentioned Caterina in his Art of War, when he described how she defended the fortress of Forli against Cesare Borgia. 14 His words showed deep admiration for her. She had the spirit to await an army as neither the King of England or the Duke of Milan did. 14 His memory of this countess whom he met on one of his first missions remained vivid over the years, and with his accounts of her deeds, he introduced her into legend, making her live forever. 4 Although Machiavelli is no longer shocking, he is still a subject of much debate and controversy. This is mostly due to the fact that he was misunderstood in the past. Works Cited 1. Viroli, Maurizio. Niccolo’s Smile: A Biography of Machiavelli. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2000. 13 2. P. Villari, Life and Times of Machiavelli, tr. Linda Villari, 4 vols(London,n. d), II, 92 3. The political Calculus: Essays on Machiavelli’s Philosopy, edited by Anthony Parel, University of Toronto Press, 1972, pp. 157-78 4. Cunningham, Lawrence S.

Social Emotional Screening Essay Example

Social Emotional Screening Essay Social Emotional Screening Name: Course: Date: We will write a custom essay sample on Social Emotional Screening specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Social Emotional Screening specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Social Emotional Screening specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Social Emotional Screening Layla is a 5-year-old girl who lives in Denver Colorado. The people present at the screening were her parents who had recently moved to Denver from Texas and worked at the local fire department. She is the last-born in a family of four children and had just completed her preschool education. Her parents were of concerned that Layla, a previously joyful child, had suddenly become withdrawn and less happy. This was the main reason that her screening was carried from the comfort of her home. The initial analysis was done by her teachers who then reported their concerns to the parents. Their sole purpose for moving was to create a new environment for her in an effort to cater for her wellbeing. Their presence at the screening was a clear indicator that their efforts had not borne fruit. According to her mother, Layla was born full term. Additionally there were no major complications surrounding her birth and the months preceding it. The child has never been diagnosed with any condition that could deter her development. Other than the usual illnesses associated with infancy, her health has been normal as per her previous doctor’s observations. This means that she is a typically developing or healthy child. Layla’s most recent health assessment was on November 5 2012. It was done to monitor her progress after the first few concerns about her withdrawal by her teachers were made. The tool used was the norm-referenced assessment (Burns, 2009). Her performance was compared to that of other children who had previously been subjected to the same test. The results were positive in that she was found to be normal in terms of her emotional development, and thus there was no cause for alarm. The current screening was conducted by a pediatrician through an interview administered to her parents at home. The 18 Month interval of Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ: SE) was administered. The ASQ provides a brief screening of children’s social emotional development. It provides screening of children’s emotional status based on the age of the child. The ASQ’s main aim is to assist parents and caregivers in identifying the possibility of future social and emotional difficulties (Whitcomb et al, 2013). This is done through a thorough assessment of the responses provided to the questions in the questionnaire. It is designed for completion by the child’s parents or guardians who have lived with the children long enough to make solid observations of any changes in their behavior. Layla scored within the normal ranges in all the categories tested in the questionnaire. She did well in the gross and motor categories and the problem solving area. The other two domains, personal-social and communication, were the only areas she seemed to have a problem though not much. The overall results are summarized below: Layla’s score was 35 against a cut off score of 70 The results of the screening were mostly in the affirmative in that the child scored within the normal range in all the five categories that are tested, although there were quite a number of concerns raised. For instance, the parents cited worries over the child’s eating and sleeping habits. They found them peculiar in the sense that she sleeps more and eats less as compared to previous times. Layla had also started most of her time indoors instead of playing with her friends as she used to both at home and in school. She had also developed the tendency of doing things repeatedly for a long period, and other people had started to show concern over her behavior in a more frequent manner. Layla’s case is not severe and therefore does not require mental health evaluation. However, her parents need to take certain measures to ensure that she is steered back to perfect emotional and social health. For instance, they should talk to Layla about what is happening to her before seeking professional help. This is to identify the problem, as she might be aware of the factors affecting her emotional and social health. Layla could have reasons that could explain the results of the screening. Secondly, they should professional assistance in case the child offers no clue to her emotional status. This means she could be subjected to further tests for better diagnosis of the problem. Layla could also be taken to hospital for analysis of her eating and sleeping habits. This would ascertain whether her problems were related to biological and health factors. After the findings, I recommend that her sleeping patterns be predetermined by her parents to ensure she does not oversleep. With regard to eating, a diet should be arranged with strict measures to adhere to it. Her friends could also be contacted to provide more information on their interactions with her because they could be useful in diagnosing her problem. Through collaboration with her teachers and friends, she should be given more activities in which she triumphs as away to make her feel good about herself. With regard to other areas of her wellbeing, Layla should continue to be taken for more tests to monitor her development. This helps in keeping abreast with her development and in identifying future problems earlier. The environment in which the child lives should be made conducive for her social and emotional health. This would assist in further positive development. Her siblings should also be notified about the results of the screening and made to provide emotional support to their sister. In the categories of gross and fine motor, her parents could be of assistance in monitoring the physical development. Physical growth is often an indicator of emotional wellbeing. They should note and report areas where the child has failed to respond positively or as required. Alternatively, her parents could devote more time to her because it could be she feels neglected (Benson et al, 2009). References Benson, J. B., Haith, M. M. (2009). Social and emotional development in infancy and early childhood. Amsterdam: Academic. Burns, C. E. (2009). Pediatric primary care. St. Louis, Mo: Saunders/Elsevier. Whitcomb, S. A., Merrell, K. W. (2013). Behavioral, social, and emotional assessment of children and adolescents. New York: Routledge.