The 60-Second Aquinas
Lesson
Euthanasia as Murder
October 26, 1998
Although it is often called "mercy killing," euthanasia is usually the result of "misplaced compassion" (Evangelium Vitae Ch. 15).
Euthanasia is similar to suicide in that death is judged to be the only way to alleviate the suffering of the victim. This action, like suicide, is in opposition to natural law: "the ultimate and most fearsome evil of this life is death … Therefore to bring death upon oneself in order to escape the other afflictions of this life, is to adopt a greater evil in order to avoid a lesser" (ST II-II, Q. 64, Art. 5).
In "assisting" another individual to death, one brings a great evil in order to avoid a lesser.
Pope John Paul II argues that euthanasia is sanctioned by many because of the belief that death is sometimes preferable to suffering. Such a view opposes natural law and "fails to perceive any meaning or value in suffering" (EV Ch. 15).
Surely, everyone must admit that suffering is part of humanity. Thus, in choosing death over suffering, one denies that "God is Lord of death and life" and disrespects "the nature which God has made" (ST II-II, Q. 64, Art. 6).
Explanation of The 60-Second Aquinas Lesson
