This can ultimately become the justification for refusal to euthanize a person even if they have given their permission. While the rights of the individual must be respected, even if they wish to die, others cannot, must not, accede to the individuals' wishes if they do not agree with it. The underlying basis of euthanasia must be the ending of a life who's continuance is generally accepted as an "evil." Many times the individual seeking to be euthanized, because they are at the center of the issue, cannot make an objective decision about their future. And since they need the assistance of others to complete the act of euthanasia, it is up to the others to refuse to euthanize a person they feel is not continuing a life that can be considered "evil."
This leads to the question of when does the continuance of a life constitute an "evil," and Foot's argument on this subject can be broken down to a single point, "can we think that the prolonging of this life would be a benefit to him…." (Foot, p.3) Cutting through all the rhetoric, when discussing euthanasia, this is the fundamental question that those involved in the act must ask. If the answer to this important question is yes, then it can be considered to be morally acceptable to assist in a euthanasia event. And while this is not...
If their wishes are known, and they have willingly consented to being euthanized, then Foot asserts that there is no moral issue in assisting when the conditions are appropriate; meaning when the continuance of life is no longer beneficial. However, when the person's wishes are not known a moral dilemma is raised. Foot comes to the conclusion that there is never a justified reason to actively end a life when the person refuses to consent, however, in other cases, most particularly when the wishes are not known but it is generally assumed that the continuance of the life would constitute an "evil," active and passive forms of euthanasia "are sometimes compatible with both justice and charity." (Foot, p.9) Therefore, according to Foot, it is possible to euthanize someone without their consent, but not when they have let their wishes be known prior, or are capable of actively opposing their own death; only when their wishes are unknown and the continuance of their life is considered to be an "evil."
References
Foot, Philippa. (1977). "Euthanasia." Philosophy and Public Affairs, 7(2). Print.
