What is euthanasia?

Euthanasia is defined as the painless killing of someone suffering from a terminal illness or a painful condition. This definition encompasses both the intention behind the act— to relieve suffering—and the method— which is performed in a way that minimizes pain for the individual. The focus on reducing distress and pain is a key aspect of euthanasia, differentiating it from other forms of killing or assisted death that may not consider the individual's suffering.

While the other options describe different concepts related to life, death, or ethics, they do not accurately capture the essence of what euthanasia is. Option A refers to the belief in the sanctity of life, which emphasizes the respect for life rather than the act of ending it. Option C describes a non-consensual action that is typically associated with murder or involuntary euthanasia, not the consensual act that euthanasia represents when discussed in a legal and ethical context. Option D discusses beliefs about the afterlife, which, while relevant to discussions of death, do not pertain specifically to the practice or definition of euthanasia itself.