Discussion Regarding The Hippocratic Oath (Do No Harm)

[TAW122]

Perhaps this may have been discussed elsewhere, but my take on this is that when pro-lifers claim that assisted suicide, voluntary euthanasia, death with dignity, and death in general is a net-negative (aka a type of 'harm'), they are ignoring the fact that prolonging someone suffering (especially those with a poor quality of life) in perpetual and indefinite existence (until natural causes or other non-self imposed death) is a type of harm itself. Not all ailments, diseases, and poor quality of life can be cured, they are merely managed, meaning that the person is still suffering, albeit less than before. Either way, suffering is still suffering and if there can be an option for the permanent cessation of suffering (a peaceful, dignified death) granted to the people suffering and wish to exit this existence that they have no say in (every living organism including humans are here not by choice but by circumstances outside of their control or free will), then there would be less harm overall.

People who are healthcare professionals; have family or friends in healthcare; or have studied and read up topics and discussions in the medical field understand and at least heard of the Hippocratic Oath. This is an oath dating back in ancient history (over thousands of years ago) that dictate medical professionals and healers do no harm to the patient. It is not only a common oath that is used ceremoniously, but also (parts of it are) upheld once the medical profession practices medicine.

Anyway, I thought that perhaps we could also claim that because the Hippocratic Oath says to do no harm, this should include that forced existence (suffering) towards a patient that does not wish to live is a harm in and of itself, especially if the patient has consistently and repeatedly requested voluntary euthanasia to end their suffering. By not honoring the patient's wishes and especially when the patient has coherently stated, requested for, and consistently expressed their wishes to exit suffering is a harm towards the patient.

What are your thoughts on this?

 

[FuneralCry]

I do think that for anyone to be pro life then they must be delusional. A lot of their beliefs and arguments make no sense and they are in denial of the cruel reality of existence. Life itself is the true cause of all harm in the first place, if someone was never born then they would never suffer. To leave this world would remove all problems and the chance of life getting worse. With life there is the capacity for extreme pain which is why it's never beneficial to bring someone into this world. Death could never be a negative as it's the absence of everything.

But it really is wrong to try and force someone to suffer against their wishes. All that is doing is prolonging that persons misery. What is the point to struggling all for the sake of it just to die anyway and be forgotten about. It really would reduce the harm in this world if people always had the option to peacefully exit at a time of their own choosing.

 

[Julgran]

they are ignoring the fact that prolonging someone suffering (especially those with a poor quality of life) in perpetual and indefinite existence (until natural causes or other non-self imposed death)

That's the hypocritical oath for you