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Suppose you are a nurse working with a 75 year old patient who has a terminal...

Suppose you are a nurse working with a 75 year old patient who has a terminal illness: her condition will slowly destroy her muscle function until she is unable to swallow and becomes paralyzed. She is very close to becoming totally dependent on others now, and (because her mind is not affected) the patient requests that you inject her with overdose of pain medication to help her have a peaceful death and avoid the suffering and slow death the disease will otherwise give her.

You ask the doctor about this, and the doctor says: "It would be morally wrong for us to intentionally kill her like that. It would, however, be morally permissible for us to withhold food and water to help her die if she wants to do that."

In 2 to 6 short paragraphs, explain how James Rachels would respond to the doctor's ideas. Be sure to explain fully whether and why Rachels would agree with the doctor's ideas. (You don't have to explain whether you agree with Rachels - just explain what he would say in response to the doctor.)

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Expert Solution

Nightingale answered 2 years ago
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