Preview

You Don 'T Know Jack' Dr Death Movie Analysis

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
654 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
You Don 'T Know Jack' Dr Death Movie Analysis
FLORES, Ralph Manuel F.
III - BN
Health Ethics
05 October 2012

REACTION PAPER:
You Don’t Know Jack (Bee Holder Productions, 2010)

‘’Oh! I do, lady! I have a religion. His name is Bach, Johann Sebastian Bach, and at least my God isn't an invented one.’’
- Jack ‘Dr. Death’ Kevorkian

I found this film’s theme and subject matter very powerful and haunting, not only because of the idea that this film talks about the argument on euthanasia, but also because of the topic that a doctor of medicine – which in the most superficial sense is the one who should be promoting wellness and advocating life unto his patients – was the same person that somewhat aids his terminally-ill patients to end their lives through physician-assisted suicide, thus branding him the label ‘Dr. Death.’ Basically, the idea may sound ironic, but this quite scandalous case has what made the film …show more content…
I strongly believe that Dr. Jack Kevorkian’s intention – which was mainly to alleviate chronic physical pain and relieve emotional suffering through physician-assisted suicide – was not focused solely to end the life of his patients, as based on the ethical standards of terminal sedation. He did not even want his patients to pay him for the medical service. He just wanted his patients to have a dignified and painless death, and not degraded by the physical and emotional pain and suffering the patients were experiencing as a sequel of their terminal illnesses. All of the four major principles of bioethics were tackled by Dr. Jack Kevorkian in his implementation of physician-assisted suicide, which I strongly agree. First is autonomy. Through autonomy, consent was obtained ethically and voluntarily from his patients, and he lets the patients and their families to decide
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    Physician Assisted Suicide : Who Should Decide?
    • 1087 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Physician Assisted Suicide : Who Should Decide?

    Shatzer, J. (2010). Between the Dying and the Dead: Dr. Jack Kevorkian 's Life and the Battle to Legalize Euthanasia. Ethics & Medicine, 26(2), 128. Retrieved May 19, 2011, from Research Library. (Document ID: 2015897771).…

    • 1087 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Jack Kevorkian's Physician Assisted Suicide
    • 392 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Jack Kevorkian's Physician Assisted Suicide

    According to Consequentialist, Kevorkian committed a moral action. He saved money by eliminating a person that would have caused a financial drain from expensive health care. Furthermore, since the person wished to die, he would have maximized their happiness of by placing death in their hands. Thus the consequence…

    • 392 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Physician Assisted Suicide: Film Analysis
    • 1638 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Physician Assisted Suicide: Film Analysis

    In 2014, a 29-year old woman named Brittany Maynard, publicly announced she was going to legally take her own life. She was suffering from brain cancer and chose to move to Oregon to utilize their Death with Dignity Law (Maynard, 2014). Because of her age, assisted suicide was thrust into the media and became a huge talking point. Assisted suicide existed in the media prior to 2014. Dr. Jack Kevorkian, dubbed “Dr. Death”, was an active proponent for physician-assisted suicide. In 1999, he was convicted of second-degree murder for his role in over 130 assisted suicides and hailed as a champion by other right to die activists (James, 2011). In 2010, the television film, You Don’t Know Jack aired on HBO. The film showed a humanistic side to the man people called, ‘Dr. Death’. This…

    • 1638 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Jack Kevorkian or Jack the Ripper
    • 1776 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Jack Kevorkian or Jack the Ripper

    The ending of one’s life, terminally ill or not, should not be done purposely by another man’s hands. If such procedures were considered acceptable, every ill person with no will to continue living would try to find ailments that deem assisted suicide. Jack Kevorkian, also known as “Dr. Death,” was a lifelong activist for physician-assisted suicide. Kevorkian was said to have assisted in 130 suicides of terminally ill patients during his life and is looked at as a sick and twisted killer to many, but as a brave, respected pathologist to others. To look back on his history and past activity, is extremely bizarre and unusual; there is everything from leaving pathology in the 70’s to make a movie, to advocating for the usage of medical experiments on criminals during execution. Assisted suicide violates the Fourteenth amendment, which prohibits government from depriving a person of life, liberty and property without ensuring fairness. The act is also by a general consensus, seen as morally and ethically taboo. However, if the patients asked Dr. Kevorkian to assist in their suicide, is he deserving of the criminal charges he has landed, or should he be seen as merely a doctor obeying his patients’ wishes? The facts that present themselves show that Dr. Kevorkian’s actions were arguably unjustified.…

    • 1776 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Kevorkian Assisted Suicide
    • 219 Words
    • 1 Page

    Kevorkian Assisted Suicide

    Dr. Jack Kevorkian was the face of the assisted suicide movement in the 1990s, and his practices in assisted suicide and euthanasia are shrouded in controversy. According to (Preface p.1), “He invented a killing machine called the mercitron which incapacitated or debilitated people could use to take their own lives: All they had to do was flip a switch.” He became known as Dr. Death and assisted over 130 people in their deaths from 1990-1998. In attempt to bring attention to the Right to Die movement, Dr. Kevorkian was public about his self-described “mercy killings.” In doing so, he had several murder charges brought against him by the state of Michigan. He was never convinced, until his attempt to ratchet up the debate resulted in him taping…

    • 219 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Jack Kevorkian
    • 872 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Jack Kevorkian

    I think that one of the biggest miscarriages of justice that I witnessed in my lifetime was that of Dr. Jack Kevorkian receiving a 10 to 25 year sentence for wanting to help end the suffering of a helpless human-being. Dubbed "Dr. Death" by the media frenzy that followed the actions of the controversial physician, he received this sentence for helping to end the life of 52 year old Thomas Youk, who was fighting a hopeless battle with Lou Gehrig's disease. Dr. Kevorkian set up his "suicide machine" in order for the person to knowlingly and voluntarily disperse the chemical concoction that would end the suffering of the victim his family. Although Dr. Kevorkian assisted in the death of 35 people, it was the Thomas Youk case that brought national attention and thus the wrath of the criminal justice system of the state of Michigan. Similar to phsycian-suicide is the issue of both voluntary and involuntary active euthanasia. Both of these involve carrying out the death of another human being, who either knowingly or unknowlingly makes that decision. What makes the case of Dr. Kevorkian different is that he met with all of his patients and recorded the fact that they were coherent and able to make their own decision about the ending their life. I am guessing that when the Thomas Youk story aired on 60 Minutes in 1998, it brought national scutiny and a mockery of the laws in the eyes of the Michigan criminal justice system. I wanted to better understand this concept the particulars about this case and what the overwhelming public opinion on the topic was nationally and within the state of Michigan.…

    • 872 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Best Essays

    Weeds vs. Flowers
    • 4681 Words
    • 19 Pages

    Weeds vs. Flowers

    Dr. Jack Kevorkian is a firm believer in physician-assisted suicide, giving his patients the dignity and respect that they deserved in making this last major decision for their life and how they wanted to end it. His patients thought of him as a hero because he aided them in their major time of need, and they felt very comfortable with him because they didn’t have to worry about feeling awkward when bringing up this method of help. The family members of Kevorkian’s patients were ultimately happy that he provided such ease to their loved ones, and showed nothing but care and respect for those individuals. This decision is a heavy burden to bear because of the feelings that the majority of people feel is wrong and immoral. Dr. Kevorkian was convicted of second degree murder in 1999 because of assistance with euthanizing one of his patients Thomas Youk, who suffered from Lou Gehrig’s disease in 1998. He was provided with financial support by an organization called “The Hemlock Society” for his lawsuit, and they also referred patients to him for their aid in finding a caring physician that would end their suffering.…

    • 4681 Words
    • 19 Pages
    Best Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Dr. Kevorkian's Contribution To The Right To Die Movement In America
    • 1342 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Dr. Kevorkian's Contribution To The Right To Die Movement In America

    Humphry, Derek. “Evaluating Dr. Kevorkian’s Contribution to the Right to die Movement in America – Assisted Suicide.” Evaluating Dr. Kevorkian’s Contribution to the Right to die…

    • 1342 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Morality Of Physician Assisted Suicide
    • 113 Words
    • 1 Page

    The Morality Of Physician Assisted Suicide

    To the advocates of pro-life and those who support pro-choice, I pose the question of the moral of Physician-assisted suicide. To abort the sick and the old for society is the goal and the purpose of Physician-assisted suicide. Physician-assisted suicide was originally brought to public attention by Dr. Jack Kevorkian also known as Dr. Death. Dr. Kevorkian was thrust into the limelight after violating the Hippocratic Oath and assisting in the suicide of a Janet Adkins, an Alzheimer’s patient, with his homemade suicide machine, built from junkyard scraps. In recent years, Physician assisted suicide has become a feasible solution to individuals with terminal diseases or the elderly, but it that a good…

    • 113 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Comparative Essay On Assisted Suicide
    • 784 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Comparative Essay On Assisted Suicide

    From the beginning of its existence, the sole purpose of the health care industry is to increase the quality of life. However, when a patient’s life is coming to an end, healthcare professionals strive to provide a comfortable death with minimal pain. With today’s doctors having new technology, medicines, and techniques, the ethics of assisted suicide has become a great debate between the public, the government, and health professionals. Dr. David Mayo and Daniel Callahan are both professionals in the healthcare industry and have varying viewpoints in regards to the effectiveness, position, and purpose of assisted suicide.…

    • 784 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Best Essays

    Physician Assisted Suicide Ethics Paper
    • 2855 Words
    • 12 Pages

    Physician Assisted Suicide Ethics Paper

    Supporters of assisted suicide believe that this act benefit terminally ill patients by relieving their suffering. This is probably one of the reasons why Netherlands court determined that a physician is allowed to prevent severe and irreversible suffering, even if it reduces patient’s life (Bosshard et al, 2002). The act of assisted suicide or active euthanasia is allowed in Netherlands, Switzerland and Oregon under different conditions and legislations. The situation can be seen differently in places, where by moral and legal discourse; assisted suicide is interpreted as the freedom or right of the individual as in Switzerland and some states of US. From the ethical perspective, patient’s choice of suicide represents an expression of self- determination and while exercising self- determination people take responsibility of their lives and for the kind of person they become. They have a right to refuse the life- sustaining treatment if they don’t want to suffer anymore and according to law, physicians must respect their decisions to forgo life- sustaining treatment that are capable of making their end of life decisions. By refusing life- sustaining treatment, terminally ill people know that they are going to die soon and in order to avoid suffering or pain they ask physicians for assistance to end their…

    • 2855 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Best Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Euthanasia Ethical Dilemma
    • 2102 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Euthanasia Ethical Dilemma

    Euthanasia is a social issue in today’s world because not only does it affect the lives of those who are terminally ill and/or comatose, and the physicians who have been entrusted with their care, but it also affects the patient’s ability to have control over their own life, whether they are aware of this decision or not, which is one of the reasons why euthanasia has become such a controversial issue around the globe. Caddell and Newton (1995) define euthanasia as “any treatment initiated by a physician with the intent of hastening the death of another human being who is terminally ill and in severe pain or distress with the motive of relieving that person from great suffering” (p. 1,672). Even though the concept of great…

    • 2102 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Physician Assisted Suicide Argumentative Analysis
    • 1640 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Physician Assisted Suicide Argumentative Analysis

    Physician assisted suicide is a highly controversial bioethical issue that has been increasingly debated in recent years. Advocates of physician assisted suicide argue that it champions patient autonomy and reduces suffering while opposers suggest the benefits outweigh the risks and that there are other acceptable alternatives to the practice. This paper attempts to demonstrate the permissibility of physician assisted suicide as a regulated, medically reliable end-of-life option that can help end the suffering of individuals struggling with terminal illnesses. This will be achieved while still providing a comprehensive view of both opponents’ and supporters’ perspectives on the issue, specifically regarding the nature of the death that comes…

    • 1640 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Assisted Suicide Arguments Against Euthanasia
    • 959 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Assisted Suicide Arguments Against Euthanasia

    In recent years, assisted suicide has become a rather controversial topic regarding whether or not a dying patient has the right to die with the assistance of a physician. While some are against it due to moral beliefs, others support it as a result of their respect for those suffering. However, physicians remain divided on the issue, being torn on the difference between relief from dying and murder. After analyzing the issue in depth, it is clear that terminally ill patients should be granted the right to assisted suicide in order to end their suffering, reduce financial burdens placed upon their families, and preserve the right of individuals to determine their own fate when facing death.…

    • 959 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Euthanasia Argumentative Essay
    • 1044 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Euthanasia Argumentative Essay

    The concept and practice of physician assisted suicide is a highly debated topic in today’s news. People often question the morals of the physicians who practice euthanasia and there are some who believe that they should not even be considered doctors. Euthanasia is the ending of someone's life through a doctor's help and is still illegal in most countries. One of the most well known advocates for the practice of euthanasia is Jack Kevorkian, who has also been referred to as Dr. Death. He was tried and convicted of second degree murder, however his practice gained a lot of support from the publicity of his trials. Although he is responsible for over 130 deaths, Kevorkian is a hero in today’s standards because of his involvement in the practice…

    • 1044 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics