Topics (write on one of the following): Consider the medical criteria that have been offered for death. What are the merits and limitations of these definitions for understanding death?
Should we regard patients in a permanent vegetative state as alive or dead? Why?
Is death a harm? Why/why not? (Discuss with reference to at least one of the following: Nagel, Nussbaum, Scarre, Bernshaw and/or Williams.)Is it rational to fear death? Why/why not? (Discuss with reference to the views of Epicurus and/or Lucretius.)Do we need to take a specific attitude towards death in order to live well? If so, what kind of attitude and why? If not, why not?
Is immortality desirable? Why/why not? (Discuss with reference to Williams and/or Nussbaum.)Is killing morally impermissible? Why/why not?
Is abortion morally permissible? Why/why not? (Discuss with reference to Thomson, Joyce and/or Hursthouse.) Is euthanasia morally permissible? If so, why and under what conditions? If not, why not?
Is there a moral distinction between active and passive euthanasia? (Discuss with reference to Steinbock and Rachels.) You must utilise at least three sources (preferably more).