2.5.3
Discussion Points: Sanctity of Life
Is 'Sanctity of Life' Meaningful in the 21st Century?
Is 'Sanctity of Life' Meaningful in the 21st Century?
This debate looks at whether the 'sanctity of life' argument has a place in 21st-century society.
Sanctity of life is meaningful
Sanctity of life is meaningful
- The sanctity of life principle is based on the Jewish and Christian biblical belief that life is a gift from God and is on loan to humans.
- Genesis says that people are made “in the image of God” (Genesis 1:26-27).
- This means people are in some way reflections of God.
- Christians and Jews make up a large proportion of the UK. In the last census, nearly 50% of people considered themselves to be Christian. For them, the SOL has meaning in medical ethics.
Secular argument against SOL
Secular argument against SOL
- Sanctity of life is a religious concept.
- In many parts of Western Europe, people are becoming more secular (less religious). So religious teachings and concepts/laws arguably have less significance and importance.
- Peter Singer has strongly argued that it is now time to abandon the sanctity of life principle in favour of the non-religious quality of life argument.
Quality of life counter-argument
Quality of life counter-argument
- The quality of life principle says that a life is only worthwhile if it can fulfil those things which make life worth living.
- There is nothing intrinsically good about being alive besides enabling us to experience those things which are desired.
- In other words, human life has to possess certain attributes to have value.
1Philosophy of Religion
1.1Ancient Philosophical Influences: Plato
1.2Ancient Philosophical Influences: Aristotle
1.3Ancient Philosophical Influences: Soul, Mind, Body
1.4The Existence of God - Arguments from Observation
1.5The Existence of God - Arguments from Reason
1.6Religious Experience
1.7The Problem of Evil
1.8The Nature & Attributes of God
1.9Religious Language: Negative, Analogical, Symbolic
2Religion & Ethics
2.1Natural Law
2.2Situation Ethics
2.3Kantian Ethics
2.4Utilitarianism
2.5Euthanasia
3Developments in Christian Thought
3.1Saint Augustine's Teachings
3.2Death & the Afterlife
3.3Knowledge of God's Existence
3.4The Person of Jesus Christ
3.5Christian Moral Principles
3.6Christian Moral Action
3.7Development - Pluralism & Theology
3.8Development - Pluralism & Society
3.9Gender & Society
3.10Gender & Theology
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1Philosophy of Religion
1.1Ancient Philosophical Influences: Plato
1.2Ancient Philosophical Influences: Aristotle
1.3Ancient Philosophical Influences: Soul, Mind, Body
1.4The Existence of God - Arguments from Observation
1.5The Existence of God - Arguments from Reason
1.6Religious Experience
1.7The Problem of Evil
1.8The Nature & Attributes of God
1.9Religious Language: Negative, Analogical, Symbolic
2Religion & Ethics
2.1Natural Law
2.2Situation Ethics
2.3Kantian Ethics
2.4Utilitarianism
2.5Euthanasia
3Developments in Christian Thought
3.1Saint Augustine's Teachings
3.2Death & the Afterlife
3.3Knowledge of God's Existence
3.4The Person of Jesus Christ
3.5Christian Moral Principles
3.6Christian Moral Action
3.7Development - Pluralism & Theology
3.8Development - Pluralism & Society
3.9Gender & Society
3.10Gender & Theology
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