Homework 131, Butler

All answers must be in your own words. No handwritten homework will be accepted.


1. Think about the point at which the author and her mother ask to get the pacemaker turned off. These questions are about that time.
a. A person's life has good and bad aspects in it. These aspects can be good/bad for that person, or good/bad for others. Focus just on how things are good or bad for him. Does the bad outweigh the good, or vice versa? (Put another way: is his life at that time overall good, or overall bad, for him) Explain and support your answer. (2pts)
b. Typically, doctors try to treat people who have given consent to treatment. Had the father consented to having his pacemaker turned off? Support your answer. (2pts)

2. a. The cardiologist, Dr. Rogan, is against turning the father's pacemaker off. Why (put this in your own words; no more than one sentence)? (1pt)
b. Do you agree with his reasoning? (I'm not just asking if you agree that it would be wrong, but rather if you agree with the reasons he gives for why it is wrong) Why or why not? (1pt)

3. a. In the situation described in the reading, keeping the father alive has a negative impact on the mother's life. Does that make it permissible to turn off the father's pacemaker in this situation? Why or why not? (2pts)
b. In your opinion, to what extent should the effects on others of keeping a person alive be considered when deciding whether to keep that person alive? Why? (2pts)