The Ethics Of Assisted Suicide - 1526 Words

Abstract Physician assisted suicide, otherwise noted as â€Å"PAS,† has existed for many years, however has made a controversial appearance in legislation recently. Patients’ and their end of life decisions have shaped the way PAS has been portrayed today. Nurses play an important role in the everyday life of transitioning patients, which places them at the forefront of assisted suicide. Nurses must have clear and defined rules when it applies to assisted suicide, and what they can do if this situation were to ever be considered by a patient. Until political change occurs, nurses must adhere to the Code of Ethics as defined by the ANA. Many arguments are being proposed to change legislation in favor of assisted suicide.†¦show more content†¦It has been available in parts of Switzerland since 1942 (Darr, 2007), however assisted suicide was not introduced to the United States until 1990. Not only is euthanasia allowed, but even individuals as young as 16 years of age can request assisted suicide (Darr, 2007). Dr. Jack Kevorkian or â€Å"Dr. Death† was the first to be known for euthanizing and assisting his patients with suicide by utilizing a device that â€Å"enabled people who wanted to die to self ­administer toxic chemicals, after initial assistance from a physician† (Darr, 2007, p. 31). This idea sparked a legal and ethical dilemma that is still discussed heavily today in many settings. Currently there are currently five states that allows physician assisted suicide in the United States. Washington, Oregon, Vermont, Montana, and New Mexico (within certain jurisdictions) all currently allow this legislation (Time, 2014). Since this recognition, other states such as California are also considering introducing similar assisted suicide bills. For example, California has introduced the â€Å"End of Life Option Act† as of January 2015, which resembles SHIFTED NURSING VIEWS ON ASSISTED SUICIDE 4 Oregon’s Physician Assisted Suicide laws (Trossman, 2015). Views on whether PAS is ethical have been increasing around the United States. ANA Standards for Assisted Suicide The Code of Ethics as defined by the The American Nurse Association has established a set of standards for how a

Presidency of Abraham Lincoln Essays - 1486 Words

Many Americans believed that the election of 1860 would decide the fate of the Union. The Democratic Party was the only party in the national scope. The convention in Charleston, South Carolina in 1860 split the Democratic Party. Stephen Douglas wanted his party’s presidential nomination, but he could not afford to alienate northern voters by accepting the southern position on the territories. However, Southern Democrats insisted on recognition of their rights, as the Dred Scott decision had defined them and they moved to block Douglas’s nomination( Bialy, 2007, p. 383). Douglas obtained a majority for his version of the platform, delegates from the South walked out of the convention. After compromise efforts the Democrats presented two†¦show more content†¦Victory was won in the Electoral College for Lincoln. This election firmly established the Republicans who held presidency for 60 of the next 100 years. He helped form the new Republican Party, drawing on re mnants of the old Whig, Free Soil, Liberty and Democratic parties. The core issue of the Republican Party, and Lincoln was over the extension of slavery. Abolitionists and supporters of free soil in the North worked to keep the Republicans from compromising on their territorial stand. In the South, proslavery advocates and secessionists gathered public opinion and demanded that state conventions assemble to consider secession. Lincoln made the decision not to soften his party’s position on the territories. Lincoln wrote of the necessity of maintaining the bond of faith between voter and candidate and â€Å"of declining to set â€Å"the minority over the majority†. Although many conservatives Republicans, eastern businessmen, and former Whigs were adamant to stop the expansion of the peculiar institution† (Bialy, 2007, p.384). Senator John J. Crittenden of Kentucky tried to put together a late-hour compromise. Hoping to avoid disunion, Crittenden proposed that the two sections divided the territories between them at latitude 36 º30. The southerners would agree to this proposal only if the Republicans did, too, they wanted no less and knew that extremist in the South would demand more. LincolnShow MoreRelatedThe Life And Presidency Of Abraham Lincoln1375 Words   |  6 Pagesthese traits through personal experience or through exemplary leadership. The life and presidency of Abraham Lincoln â€Å"demonstrated that he possessed all of the great leadership qualities.† (Phillips). Lincoln’s philosophies on interacting amongst troops, encouraging innovation, handling unjust criticism, and being a master of paradox are still applicable in modern day pharmacy practice. When Abraham Lincoln took his oath in becoming the next president the nation was facing what seemed as an insurmountableRead MoreEssay on The Exceptional Presidency of Abraham Lincoln1019 Words   |  5 PagesWhen Abraham Lincoln was elected president, he inherited a nation entrenched in chaos. Throughout his presidency he led the Union through a trying period highlighted by the secession, the institution of slavery, and the greatest internal conflict in the history of the United States, the Civil War. Lincoln stuck to his principles during this arduous time and through this was able to re-unite the nation. With no historical precedents to help validate his actions, Lincoln still succeeded in bringingRead MoreAbraham Lincoln s Lifetime And Presidency945 Words   |  4 PagesJames McPherson views Abraham Lincoln throughout his lifetime and presidency. In writing Abraham Lincoln, McPherson sought to concisely capture the most important events of Lincoln’s life along with his input on why he felt that Lincoln was such a tremendous leader. The three main points of his argument include Lincoln’s prior government experience and stance on issues, his changes while in office, and the overall opinions of the general public during his time in office. Lincoln highly disliked hisRead MoreThe Legacy Of Abraham Lincoln s Presidency1589 Words   |  7 Pagestime of Abraham Lincoln’s presidency, Lincoln made a vast number of speeches and wrote many letters. These letters and speeches focused on a variety of topics and issues that were prominent before, during, and after the time of the Civil War. During this time, slavery was one of, if not the top main issue in the United States. Lincoln was very outspoken on his views of slavery, what he wanted to happen, and what he did not want to happen with the institution. One of the main points that Lincoln makesRead MoreWhen Referring To Abraham Lincoln During His Presidency,1914 Words   |  8 PagesWhen ref erring to Abraham Lincoln during his presidency, he is often remembered as â€Å"The Great Emancipator†. Upon looking into his earlier life, one can develop firm conclusions as to what factors influenced Lincoln. One can also call into question whether his actions toward emancipation were sufficient, or if he deserves credit at all. Various events before Lincoln’s presidency allowed his opinions of the institution of slavery to develop. During his childhood, he was exposed to slavery, while hisRead MoreAbraham Lincoln and the Fourth Estate: The White House and the Press During the American Civil War by Richard Carwardine565 Words   |  3 PagesIn â€Å"Abraham Lincoln and the Fourth Estate: The White House and the Press during the American Civil War† Richard Carwardine discusses the incredible increase in the Press’ contribution to the American Civil War. Carwardine explains Abraham Lincoln’s role with the media and his use of newspapers as polit ical weaponry from before the election and into his presidency. This topic is significant because it illustrates Abraham Lincoln’s intelligence and strengths as a president during the Civil War. TheRead MoreAbraham Lincoln s Second Inaugural Address1070 Words   |  5 PagesOn March 4, 1865 Abraham Lincoln delivered his second inaugural address as president of the United States. The inaugural address came at the very end of the American Civil War, and just a month before the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Prior to this address, the United States had been split into two different independent states, the Union and the Confederacy. Throughout Abraham Lincoln’s first term and the very beginning of his second, Lincoln had to deal with the secession of the eleven statesRead MoreThe Views On Lincoln s Presidency1738 Words   |  7 PagesHistorian’s Views on Lincoln’s Presidency After reading several historians’ texts regarding Lincoln’s opinions and policies toward slavery, and the unification of a nation as a whole, I distinguished that several authors have contending visions of Lincoln’s actions during his presidency. Some authors (Dirck, Guelzo, Striner) portray Lincoln as the great emancipator in depicting him as a crusader whose main purpose during the Civil War was only to accomplish the abolishment of slavery.Read MoreThe Legacy Of Abraham Lincoln1217 Words   |  5 PagesAbraham Lincoln was born in the year 1809 on February 12th in the town of Hardin County, Kentucky to Thomas and Nancy Lincoln. Growing up Lincoln had no proper education, consequently he read books and educated himself. During Lincoln’s young adult years, he worked a various number of jobs as a shopkeeper, surveyor, and a postmaster. In 1832, Lincoln became a captain of the Hawk War against the Native Americans. Shortly after the war was over, h e began his political career and was elected to theRead MoreThe Presidency Of The United States1401 Words   |  6 PagesThe Presidency While some nineteenth century presidents, such as Abraham Lincoln, wielded great power and significantly influenced the future of the United States, many were really just caretakers eclipsed in prominence by various industrialists and robber barons. The modern American presidency was actually the creation of Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt who by different means expanded and strengthened the office of the President of the United States. The Roosevelt family revolutionized how the

The ANC and PACs Influence on the Fall ofo the Apartheid...

Since its colonization by England and the Dutch, South Africa’s government struggled under power hungry colonial leaders and most recently under the white dominated Apartheid regime. Before colonization, South Africa was ruled by different tribes each having jurisdiction over their section of land. Eventually, South Africa like so many other Africa countries, fell victim to European colonization. The first European settlers were Dutch, who arrived in 1652 and worked for the Dutch East India Company, whose main focuses were trade, exploration, and colonization. In 1820 the British arrived and for years South Africa was suppressed and ruled by Britain and the Dutch. Finally, South Africa gained independence on May 31, 1910. The country was unified from its previous divided British colonies and was now called the Union of South Africa, ruled by its minority white population. In 1948, the National Party won the election and was lead by Daniel Malan. Malan and the National Party in stalled the apartheid system, a word meaning apartness, which segregated the country into blacks to whites. In 1950, Malan created the Registration Act and which required everyone to classify according to race, and African Americans were forced to live in separate cities and ostracized by the white population. Through almost 50 years South Africa lived through a dark stage while the rest of the world shunned them and the UN deemed the apartheid a â€Å"crime against humanity.† The Apartheid was finally

Steve Biko vs. Malcolm X free essay sample

Steve Biko vs. Malcolm X BY Jdharns5210 Malcolm X and Steve Biko Black Consciousness Malcolm X and Steve Biko were one of the two most preeminent leaders in world history. These men changed lives and stood up for millions of Africans and African Americans during their short lives. These two men lived by a saying black is beautiful. They also believed that black people in the United States as well as Africans mainly in South Africa deserved the same rights and equality as any other man in the world. They lived through the rough era of the discrimination in the United States and Apartheid in South Africa. Malcolm X and Steve Bikos lives were ended shortly due to assassinations by people who hated them. Who was Steve Biko? Steve Biko was an anti-apartheid activist in South Africa in the 1960s and 70s. Steve Biko was born in Kingwilliamstown, South Africa in 1946. He later studied to become a doctor at the University of Natal Medical School in South Africa. Steve Biko was the creator of the famous phrase â€Å"black is beautiful†. This amazing phrase he created was meant to generate pride in oneself and pride within the race. Specifically being the African race. In 1968 Biko formed an organization called SASO, which stands for South African Students’ Organization. He formed this group because he felt that black, Indian and colored students needed an organization of their own. He was then elected first president in July of 1969. Later in 1970 he was selected as the Publicity Secretary. This group SASO was later involved into the Black Consciousness Movement. Black Consciousness to Steve Biko is defined as â€Å"the realization by the black man of the need to rally together with his brothers around the cause of their operation† (Biko, 49†), he also said â€Å"It seeks to infuse the black community with a new found pride in themselves, their efforts, their value systems, their culture, their religion and their outlook to life† (Biko, 49). In an interview Steve Biko did he said â€Å"I basically think Black Consciousness refers itself to the black man and to his situation, and I think the black man is subjected to two forces in this country. † (Biko, 100). The Black Consciousness movement that Biko and other like-minded activists created the growth of Black Power in the United States. The Black Consciousness movements system was founded in black Christianity. This was a way to support non-violence action from his great influence from Mahatma Gandhi. In another interview when Steve Biko was asked about Black Liberation he replied, â€Å"Liberation therefore is of paramount importance in the concept of Black Consciousness, for we cannot be conscious of ourselves and yet remain in bondage. We want to attain the envisioned self which is a free self†. Steve Biko basically means that if you understand the Black Consciousness movement, you would realize that Black Liberation would not come from only imagining and fighting for political changes as the ANC (also known as the African National Congress) did. But, it would also come from a psychological transformation in the minds of black people themselves. Who was Malcolm X? Malcolm X was born by the name of Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska. His mother, Louise Norton Little was a homemaker that had to raise her eight children. His father, Earl Little, was a Baptist minister and passionate supporter of the Black Nationalist leader Marcus Garvey. Malcolm’s fathers’ civil rights involvement stimulated death threats from the white supremacist organization Black Legion, forcing the family to relocate twice before Malcolms fourth birthday. Growing up, Malcolm had much to deal with. He had to get over the death of his father, his mother being sent to a mental home, being separated from his family and siblings, and most of all he had to brush off the racism that was being thrown at him from early ages. Malcolm was also a very smart student. He graduated from junior high at the top of his class. Malcolm’s life did a complete one hundred eighty degree turn. He was convicted to 10 years in a federal prison and while in prison he converted to Nation of Islam. He was already influenced by his family members to convert to the Nation of Islam, but when he was in jail he became heavily influenced by a man by the name of Elijah Mohammed. His younger brother Reginald also had a great influence of Malcolm. Reginald began telling Malcolm more about the Nation of Islam’s spiritual leader, Elijah Muhammad. Elijah Muhammad’s main message was to teach everyone that all white men are devils. After hearing what Elijah says, Malcolm thinks of all the white people he has come across in his young life. He remembers the social workers who split up his family, the teacher who discouraged him from becoming a lawyer and his customers when he worked as a porter and a pimp. He also considers the white policemen, judge, and guards who have united to lock him away in jail. Every one of these people has done him harm to him in some way. He begins to undergo an overpowering change and accepts the truth of the Nation of Islam. Malcolm once said, â€Å"If you’re afraid of Black Nationalism, you’re afraid of revolution. And if you love revolution, you love Black Nationalism’’. He believed that nationalism brought freedom to those in the people in Africa, and he also believed that nationalism would bring freedom to the African Americans in the United States. Even though Malcolm X was a non-violent activist, he still believed to an extent that violence was a way to solve problems going on. He said that non-violence was the â€Å"philosophy of the fool†. He believed that African Americans would have to regain their national identity, clinch the rights covered by the Second Amendment, and defend themselves from white domination and extrajudicial violence. Malcolm also believed that African Americans must create their own society and ethical values, community-based businesses such as the Alcoholics Anonymous. These were some of that acts that the black Muslims supported. He also thought that African Americans should reject integration or cooperation with Caucasians until they could achieve internal cooperation and unity. Black Consciousness became important to Malcolm X once he got into prison. Black Consciousness in the eyes of Malcolm X was quite similar to Steve Biko’s points in Black Consciousness. For example, in the Autobiography of Malcolm X told by Alex Haley, Malcolm said, â€Å"I reflected many, many times to myself upon how the American Negro has been entirely brainwashed from ever seeing or thinking of himself, as he should, as a part of the nonwhite peoples of the world† (Malcolm X, 352). In this particular quote made by Malcolm X, he showed his commitment to race relations and oppression. Malcolm continuously blamed the whites for the problems that African Americans faced in the mid-1900’s. He felt that that blacks needed to come together as a community to work together to overcome white oppression that was taking place. Even though Malcolm X said, â€Å"America needs to understand Islam, because this is the one religion that erases from its society ‘the race problem’†. He felt that the only way for change in America was to have a faith in the Islam religion. Malcolm’s view on liberation was simple. He believed that that African Americans should embrace their heritage, avoid substances that poisoned the mind, and avoid interaction with whites. He once said, â€Å"We didn’t land on Plymouth Rock. Plymouth Rock landed on us†. When he said this, most people questioned his word. He simply meant that slaves didn’t â€Å"land† on America, but America â€Å"landed† on the slaves. By doing that, America ended the hopes and dreams that were in the minds of Africans and African Americans. Steve Biko and Malcolm X shared liberation ideologies to a certain degree. They both felt that Africans and African American cannot be aware and able to expand themselves while having a mindset of being under control by white people. One difference between Malcolm X and Steve Biko was their views on white people and how their views changed in their short lives. Steve Biko didn’t have a great sense of hate for white people in South Africa as Malcolm did in America. Steve Biko was as non-violent as you could get. But, Malcolm X once said, â€Å"Non-violence was the philosophy of a fool†. Malcolm’s views on white people changed drastically throughout his life. When he was young, his parents taught him and his siblings to not take abuse from white people. While in foster care, he became quite comfortable with his situation living with the Swerlins who were white. Once Malcolm moved to Boston, he began treating white people just as they treated him and other blacks in his past; which was horrible. Once Malcolm was in jail his hatred toward white people remained the same due to the fact that his movements toward joining the nation of Islam ended up brainwashing him to think that all whites are the devil. This all changed when Malcolm was released from jail and later took his trip to Mecca where he met white Islam’s who were unprejudiced. Malcolm X and Steve Biko were a lot alike though. They had a genuine love for their race. They also had a ton of courage. They both lived their lives knowing that they had people on their back who wanted to kill them on a daily basis. Malcolm said in the Autobiography, â€Å"I could suddenly die at the hands of some white racist. Or I could suddenly die at the hand of some Negro hired by the white man† (Malcolm, 388). With the amount of death threats being received, they still pushed forward to try and change the lives of their people. One of the greatest things these two men have in common was the fact that they were men of substance and that they gave their own people hope of survival and change. They helped restore self-respect that was lost in their people and carried their selves with the greatest amount of dignity.