2.5.3

Discussion Points: Sanctity of Life

Test yourself

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.

Illustrative background for Sanctity of life is meaningfulIllustrative background for Sanctity of life is meaningful ?? "content

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.
Illustrative background for Secular argument against SOLIllustrative background for Secular argument against SOL ?? "content

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.
Illustrative background for Quality of life counter-argumentIllustrative background for Quality of life counter-argument ?? "content

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.

Jump to other topics

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

1.10Religious Language: 20th Century Perspective

2Religion & Ethics

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

3.11Challenges

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