Show off what you have learnt so far… What is the sanctity of life? Why do Catholics believe in the sanctity of life? How do Catholics apply the sanctity of life to abortion? Use biblical quotes to support your answers…

Sanctity of life (Gen 1,31) God saw what he had made, and indeed, it was very good (Gen2:7) The Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground (Jeremiah 1:5) Before I formed you in the womb I knew you (Luke 1.41) Mary and Elizabeth (both pregnant) meet and Elizabeth’s unborn baby (john the baptist) Moves in her womb. “ the ChildLept in her womb”

Critiques of Sanctity of Life Classwork Date: Sunday, 16 September 2018Sunday, 16 September 2018 Critiques of Sanctity of Life Success Criteria: I can define quality of life. I can identify what I already know about quality of life. I can understand and explain the critiques of the sanctity of life I can examine the humanist views on the sanctity of life I can evaluate attitudes towards sanctity of life I can assess my knowledge through a GCSE question.

Sanctity of life… Can you think of any arguments against the sanctity of life?

Think, Pair, Share Is life always worth living? Has EVERY life got value/meaning/quality? Discuss the following questions: Has every life got meaning, value and quality? If you are not able bodied how might that reduce a person’s free will?

Quality of Life What matters more when making life or death decisions? Sanctity of Life

Make a list of what things you think make for a GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE. The Physical Quality of Life Index When you have finished, compare your list with the index that is used internationally to measure quality of life…

Physical Quality of Life Index literacy level life expectancy infant mortality rate Why do you think these three indicators were chosen? Did you expect these to be the indicators and/or have them on your lists?

Quality of Life Helga Kuhse- There are important qualities human being must have in order to live ‘meaningful’ lives. Sentience Self-awareness Act rationally Communicate Act morally Some babies may be born with abnormalities which hinder these qualities. Abortion is sometimes the best thing to do. Do you agree with Helga? Justify your answer.

Task 1. Why do some people think quality of life is a more helpful guide to making life and death decisions than the sanctity of life? 2. Explain why some Christians say free will holds the key to decisions about life and death issues.

Alternative views of the Catholic Church… Humanist- make notes on how a Humanist is defined... “Humanist” is used today to mean those who seek to live good lives without religious or superstitious beliefs. It means more than not believing in God, as humanists believe they have certain responsibilities as HUMAN BEINGS. So, just because they don’t believe in God, or Angels or heaven or hell…that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try our best to be good and kind to one another and the earth.

Life should be preserved, but that A main criticism of sanctity of life is that life should not be protected at all costs. In Life’s Dominion, Ronald Dworkin says that sanctity of life means two distinct things: Life should be preserved, but that Life should also be of a high quality. Human life is precious, but it should be of a good quality. Think, Pair, Share.. Do you agree with Ronald? If so why? If not why not?

THE QUALITY OF LIFE If a person is suffering and no longer wants to live, is it morally right for that person’s life to be prolonged? SHOULD LIFE BE PRESERVED AT ALL COSTS?

Perhaps only the patient can judge his/her quality of life. An individual has human dignity – many illnesses may remove that dignity. This can be debilitating and emotionally distressing. The patient may feel that they want to end their life. Ultimately, this is an individual personal decision. 1. What do you think? 2. Do you agree with the quality of life argument? Think about the case studies you looked at the sanctity of life lesson.. Diane Pretty 3. Would the Catholic Church's’ teaching agree with you?

Arguments against Sanctity of life SINGER- Sanctity of human life has distorted morality- it is easier to accept the use of healthy animals in cosmetic surgery than the termination of a foetus.... Contradiction??? While the sanctity of the foetus is important so is that of the mother Foetus has potentiality- mother has actuality

Singer believes Christians are ANTHROPOCENTRIC and does not agree with it Anthropocentric -regarding humankind as the central or most important element of existence, especially as opposed to God or animals. CHRISTIAN ETHICS (also theocentric) Humans made in the image of God, given dominion over the earth and its creatures. We are pinnacles of God’s creation. Stewardship. UTILITARIANISM – Bentham, Singer Sentient-centred = all sentient creatures should be considered equally

Singer… Sacredness is a meaningless concept Singer… Sacredness is a meaningless concept. Human beings are intelligent animals at the summit of the food chain. Survival of the human species it built into the evolutionary process! Abortion MUST be allowed as it controls over crowding on a planet with limitless resources!

Peter Singer Peter Singer suggests that it’s better to focus on the quality of life rather than the sanctity of life when making life and death decisions. This would move judgements from absolutist to relativist. It enables the amount of pain involved, the closeness of death and whether life holds any pleasure for the individual to be taken into account. 1. Make notes on Singers view on sanctity of life 2. Do you agree with Singer? 3. What would Catholic teaching say about Singer’s views?

Summarise What are the critiques of the sanctity of life?

Summary of Sanctity of Life Many people argue against a principle that says that all human life should be treated as sacred. When someone is in great agony and no longer wants to live, their life is not of supreme value Severe disability, both physical and mental, can reduce the value of life At its earliest stages, human life is devoid of personality, the ability to reason etc. and therefore should not be treated as sacred Treating all human life as sacred means we cannot do vital research that would improve the quality of life for millions Some lives are simply not worth as much as others - this is why an ambulance driver is trained to focus first on a young person rather than someone who is very old. It makes no sense to see a person who might die any day of old age as of equal value to someone who has many years left in them Some people lose the right to be treated as sacred when they kill other people