Instructions
Read James Rachels's "Active and Passive Euthanasia", and Daniel Callahan's "When Self-Determination Runs Amok" (both can be found in section 6.2 of the BE text). As you're reading, pay especially close attention to what each author says about the difference between killing and letting die, and take note of the disagreement between them about whether this difference is morally important.
Next, write a 900 to 1200 word essay. Your essay should, first, explain the arguments Callahan and Rachels make about whether there's a morally important difference between killing and letting die. Second, your essay should assess the implications of those arguments for the morality of voluntary active euthanasia. Do you think that Callahan's argument successfully proves that voluntary active euthanasia is morally wrong? Or do you think that Callahan's argument is flawed, and that Rachels's argument successfully proves that voluntary active euthanasia is morally permissible? Perhaps you think that neither argument is successful? Whatever position you take, be sure to justify it.
You should devote roughly 2/3 of your essay's body to explaining Rachels's and Callahan's arguments, and roughly 1/3 of its body to evaluating those arguments and defending your position. Though you should write a brief introductory paragraph, you should not write a formal concluding paragraph.