Therefore, the fundamental principles which need to be taken into consideration when discussing the Kantian ethics are represented by the categorical imperative, humanity and autonomy. The most important value that man needs to respect is life. Just like he will not harm another person's life, he must never harm his own. Annulling one's self means not only annulling your own humanity, but also using it as a means for reaching happiness. This is wrong, because humanity in all its forms and manifestations should be dealt with as a goal in itself and never as a mere means.
It might be argued that happiness is the supreme goal of all the human beings. When life is made only of things which cause misery and it is clear that there is no hope for things to get better, then it would seem logical to seek death (by suicide or through euthanasia). But death can not be a synonym of happiness since it means the annulment of the being.
Furthermore, it is not happiness the most important value of the human being, but his own life and the respect for it. Happiness can be reached in many ways and these ways differ from person to person and from time to time. Although all the people have a pretty good idea about what happiness is, they will not be able to describe accurately which are the actions which, once performed, will universally ensure happiness. It often is a matter of desires and caprices which once fulfilled will only cause other desires, if not misery.
One of the examples which Kant make sis represented by the man who, being poor wants to be rich thinking that richness will make him happy. Once he becomes rich he realizes that a lot of complications come with wealth and he is unhappy again. Taking this into consideration, it is safe to say that happiness can not constitute the basis forn ethical system.
In addition, it could be stated that it is autonomy which will most likely contribute to people achieving first and foremost dignity...
I has been proven that a man who is a mere slave of his desires is most likely to be unhappy. On the other hand, a man who makes rational choices is less likely to suffer. Reason allows man to make wiser choices and to concentrate upon things which are likely to last for longer and have more positive consequences. It is reason the tool which man should use in order to understand the value of the things which can be defined as truly moral. And it is only a person with strong will and character who can choose to respect the principles which his reason has found to be morally valid.
The moral imperative is a categorical imperative because the value of one's actions and beliefs is to be judged in absolute terms and not depending on the variety of situations which occur in different times and places. It may be true that suicide and euthanasia are actions which may at times cause more good than evil. However, the consequences of accepting the universal validity of this statement are terrible. In addition, when the principle is transformed into an universal maxim it becomes self contradictory.
To sum it up, Kant's philosophical view regarding issues such as human freedom, duty and autonomy presents a conception according to which man must respect and preserve life (his own included). According to him, this is his essential duty and the only way to achieve morality. Consequently, death by suicide, assisted suicide and passive euthanasia are all morally wrong.
Bibliography
Kant, Immanuel. The metaphysics of morals. Trans. Gregor, Mary J., Sullivan, Roger. Cambridge University Press, 1997
The ethics of euthanasia. Retrieved November 30, 2008 http://www.csus.edu/indiv/g/gaskilld/ethics/Euthanasia.htm
When death is sought. Assisted suicide and euthanasia in the medical context. NY State department of Health. Retrieved November 30, 2008 http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/consumer/patient/chap5.htm
