Physician-assisted suicide, moral perspective, and the limits of moral theories

Decisions concerning the end of life, such as those surrounding euthanasia and physician assisted suicide (PAS), are perennial subjects of moral debate. PAS, which is currently legal in the state of Oregon and in the countries of Belgium and the Netherlands, is of special interest to modern thinkers because it is often the subject of proposed legislation, and because the public remains sharply divided on the issue. Scholars have formed a number of theoretical approaches to help resolve moral questions about PAS and its legalization.; This dissertation examines examples of the most common approaches. It begins with relatively less abstract offerings from writers in 'clinical ethics' and from writers who write from within a religious tradition. This is followed by examples of more abstract theories, such as those based on distinctions concerning the alleged nature of moral action, on the 'slippery slope effect,' and on the importance of individual rights. In each case, I argue that the methods and goals of these approaches are limited by moral perspective. Given that the methods and goals of these approaches vary, the limitations they each face also vary, with the most severe limitations being placed on those theories that have a normative position as their objective.; To make these points, I develop the notion of moral perspective, offer counterexamples to the moral perspectives of the authors I address, and reflect on what it often means to make moral decisions. The problem for those who offer theoretical approaches is that their theories are usually developed at the expense of what seem to be indispensable aspects of moral life.; The limits imposed by moral perspective seem to apply to all theories which try to systematize moral decision-making. Because of this, I do not construct another theoretical approach for this purpose. Instead, I limit myself to the description and analysis of moral life, and especially of moral decision-making concerning PAS.