...I shall make it good for you, even against thy will!

Is it ethical to go against one”s will? Is it ethical to do so for their benefit?

Let’s say you know that your 5 year old nephew wants a radio-controlled car, but since he is old enough to read on his own, you buy him a colorful and interesting book instead. You know that he won’t be too happy, but you argue that as he gets older he will thank you. You argue that your actions actually show that you really love him, as you are doing what is best for him. I say, “Unethical!” If you want to buy him a book, do so as an addition, but if you know that he wants a car for his birthday, buy a damn car- it’s his day after all! He has a right to decide what is best for him on his own, no matter what age he is…

Now, on another side of the impact spectrum, you got that “terminally sick relative”. You know he is going to commit suicide (euthanasia). Is it ethical to stop him? What if he asks you to help, is it ethical not to help? Would you have an obligation to prevent it or to help it? This is a question I cannot answer with the same confidence and pray won’t ever have to…

This article is second in series of my “Relative”s Will” articles (first is Individual Ethics vs Society Ethics). I might write a few more articles using this example as it seems to be a very important subject that has no clear universal ethical answer.

Here are some additional readings on this topic:

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