Assignment Task: Please answer the following questions in a small paragraph each.
1. Edward Jones suffered a massive stroke. His upper brain hemisphere is largely destroyed, and he has no conscious experience, no memory, no thoughts, no perceptions...etc. But his lower brain stem is still functional: his heart still beats, he sweats, defecates, and possesses automatic movements (he groans, occasionally moves his limbs..etc.). Is Edward Jones alive or dead? Explain your answer as fully as possible.
2. Back to Edward Jones: let us say that much of his upper brain hemisphere is destroyed, but not all of it. He has no memories, is unable to speak, and cannot recognize anybody who walks into his room. Yet, when someone plays classical music near his bed, he gently smiles. Now: Is Edward Jones alive or dead? What is the minimum amount of awareness or mental capacity a human being must possess to be considered alive?
3. What conditions make it permissible for a doctor to assist someone in dying?