ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author explains what is usually meant by 'paternalism' and what forms it is supposed to take. 'Easy death' only implies that somebody's death is caused in a gentle manner, so that he or she does not suffer: if this were the sole criterion for euthanasia, many gentle murderers would have to be called experts in euthanasia. Weak medical paternalism is fully compatible with voluntary medical euthanasia. But in the case of voluntary medical euthanasia the doctors can be reasonably sure about the patient's real wishes, and, therefore, weak paternalism offers no justification for further intervention. The core of the medical paternalism physicians often use to reject voluntary euthanasia. Some paternalists do, however, reject voluntary medical euthanasia. Their strict version of strong paternalism is based on the Moral Law or the Will of God. People can rationally wish to die, but they ought not to.
