Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Auburn University, / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic reference (p.192-209).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 2010. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 99-108). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.A.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 1995. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 73-78).

The purpose of this thesis is to argue for the permissibility of assisted suicide in certain cases. Since the practice of assisted suicide involves the act of suicide, I have chosen to focus my arguments on a defense of the act of suicide in certain cases. I then argue that there is no moral difference between suicide and assisted suicide, so that in most cases if it is permissible for a person to take his or her own life then it ought to be permissible for him or her to receive suicide assistance. I accomplish this first by critically analzying the psychological view of suicide, which gives to rise to the incompetency argument, and by refuting numerous other arguments offered to demonstrate the unconditional moral impermissibility of suicide. I then defend suicide as being morally permissible if 1) the agent is competent; and 2) the suicide does not violate any overriding obligations that would not otherwise be violated. I also defend a notion of 'full permissibility', meaning an action that a person ought to be free to perform without justified paternalistic interference from others. An action, and thus a suicide, is fully permissible if it is morally permissible as well as rational for the person in question. In the final chapter I make the move from defending suicide in certain cases if it is permissible for a person to take his or her own life then it also ought to be permissible for him or her to receive assistance. / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA)

Thesis (doctoral)--Humboldt-Universität Berlin, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (p. [xiii]-lxix).

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- McMaster University, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 203-211). Also available via World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.A.I.S.)--Oregon State University, 1999. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.A.)--Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, Mass., 1999. / Abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-114).

Euthanasia, known in its active form as assisted suicide, is rapidly becoming one of the most heatedly debated moral, ethical, social, and legal issues to face the American public in some time. Because of its complexity, there are many arguments for and against euthanasia, and until all aspects of this highly controversial topic are explored and understood, this practice will continue to cause misunderstanding and suffering for those who both oppose and support it. It seems as if everyone has an opinion about euthanasia even though it affects a minute percentage of the U.S. population directly. All of us deal with death in one form or another, should it be the death of a loved one, friend, pet, or of one's own impending demise. Death as a reality is not remotely controversial as with the aspects of murder and suicide. Euthanasia touch on both areas. Is euthanasia just another term for murder, and a politically excusable one at that, or is euthanasia a way to assist the terminally ill out of their cocoon of pain?

Issues of right to life, as well as death have surfaced as topics of hot debate. In particular, questions about when and if individuals have the right to end their own lives have emerged and gained considerable attention as health policy issues having the potential to affect all Americans.. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that are most likely to influence an individual's decision to support or not support voluntary active euthanasia (VAE) and physician assisted suicide (PAS) in specific medical situations. This study also examined the differences in medical vignettes by various demographic and attitudinal factors. Data were collected from a sample of classified staff members at two institutions of higher learning in Oregon. A survey was used to collect all data. Paired sample T-tests, stepwise multiple regression analysis and repeated measures multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA) were used to analyze the data. Based on survey results, there were significant differences in attitudes toward PAS and VAE for each medical vignette. Religious beliefs, fear of dependency, and fear of death were the most powerful predictors of individual support for PAS in each medical situation. In the case of VAE, there were differences in support on each medical situation in terms of the most powerful predictors: fear of dependency and religious beliefs for the cancer vignette, fear of dependency, religious beliefs, and age for the ALS vignette, and religious beliefs and fear of dependency for the paralysis vignette. The repeated measures MANOVA revealed that in general, the older the individual was, the less likely they were to support PAS or VAE. However, women over age 66 in this study were more likely to support VAE than were the males age 66 and over. Males in the 51-65 year old category were more supportive of VAE than females in this age category. Also, those who were more fearful of death were more likely to have a higher level of support for VAE. In all three vignettes (Cancer, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and paralysis) for both PAS and VAE, there was a significantly different level of support measured on a seven point Likert scale. / Graduation date: 1995