Báo Cáo PHI2600U ETHICS - discussion about Mercy Killing

Below you will find a summary of Tracy Latimer’s case. A 12-year-old girl victim of cerebral palsy, killed by her father in 1993. After reading the passage, and based on what you have learned in this course, post a brief comment (2 or 3 paragraphs) stating your opinion of the moral issues involved in the Tracy Latimer’s case. Try to address the following questions. Under which ethical theories would (or would not) Tracy’s father actions be morally justified? Would you side with the judge in the case or with the Canadian Supreme Court? Explain your position from an ethical standpoint. This is a discussion assignment. Posting is mandatory for all students. I expect to see some interaction (discussion) among the students. Each student must post their own comment and respond to, at least two, of their classmates' comments. Respond to posting that motivate you to do so. You are going to be graded based on your participation in the discussion: if you don’t satisfy the minimum participation requirement (1 posting and 2 responses) you will not receive the points for this activity.


Mercy Killing


Tracy Latimer, a 12-year-old victim of cerebral palsy, was killed by her father in 1993. Tracy lived with her family on a prairie farm in Saskatchewan, Canada. On a Sunday morning while his wife and other children were at church, Robert Latimer put Tracy in the cab of his pickup truck and piped in exhaust fumes until she died. At the time of her death, Tracy weighed less than 40 pounds; she was described as “functioning at the mental level of a three-month-old-baby.” Mrs. Latimer said that she was relieved to find Tracy dead when she arrived home and added that she “didn’t have the courage” to do it herself.


Mr. Latimer was tried for murder; but the judge and the jury did not want to treat harshly. The jury found him guilty of only second-degree murder and recommended that the judge ignore the mandatory 25-year sentence. The judge agreed and sentenced him to one year in prison, to be followed by a year of confinement to his farm. However, the Supreme Court of Canada stepped in and ruled that the mandatory sentence must be imposed. Robert Latimer is now in prison, serving the 25-year term.