Unit:
Κατεύθυνση Ηθική Φιλοσοφία, Δίκαιο και Ευζωία των ΖώωνLibrary of the School of Philosophy
Supervisors info:
Ευάγγελος Πρωτοπαπαδάκης ,Μέλος ΔΕΠ (Καθηγητής), Τμήμα Φιλοσοφίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Φιλόθεος-Φώτιος Μαρούδας, Διδάκτωρ, Διδάσκων ΔΠΜΣ «Ζώα: Ηθική, Δίκαιο, Ευζωία» Τμήματος Φιλοσοφίας ΕΚΠΑ-Ελληνικό Ινστιτούτο Παστέρ
Μαρία Χωριανοπούλου, Μέλος ΔΕΠ (Επίκουρη Καθηγήτρια), Τμήμα Φιλοσοφίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Original Title:
Η ευθανασία των ζώων συντροφιάς και θέματα βιοηθικής.
Translated title:
The Practice of Euthanasia in Companion Animals: Bioethical Implications.
Summary:
Euthanasia in veterinary practice can provide relief from animal suffering, but it can also be used in cases that do not benefit the animals, causing ethical and professional dilemmas for veterinarians, animal owners and society. This paper examines the ethical and practical concerns related to the euthanasia of companion animals. The concept of euthanasia is analyzed, its purpose and the legislative framework for its implementation are clarified. The main philosophical positions on the existence and position of animals from antiquity to the present day are presented. Emphasis is given to the positions on the existence or non-existence of rights in animals and the obligations that man has as a rational being towards them, of René Descartes, Immanuel Kant, Jeremy Bentham and the newer thinkers Peter Singer and Tom Regan. The historical course of Veterinary science is presented, references are made to codes of ethics of veterinarians and to the reasons and appropriate moments that justify euthanasia for themselves. It focuses on the consequences of euthanasia of companion animals, with references to the subsequent care of dead animals, as well as the consequences of euthanasia for animals, owners, veterinarians and society in general.
It argues that the definition of euthanasia should be based on intention and strictly applied to veterinary practice, while veterinary professionals should see decisions on euthanasia as requests that can, and in some cases should, be rejected, rather than as orders.
Main subject category:
Philosophy - Psychology
Keywords:
companion animals, euthanasia, philosophical positions on animals, ethical issues of animal euthanasia, consequences of animal euthanasia
