Synopses & Reviews
Whether euthanasia or assisted suicide should be legalized is one of the most pressing and profound questions facing legislators, health care professionals, their patients, and all members of society. Regrettably, the debate is too often characterized by rhetoric rather than reason. This book aims to inform the debate by acquainting anyone interested in this vital question with some of the major ethical, legal, clinical and theological issues involved. The essays it contains are authoritative in that they have been commissioned from some of the world's leading experts, balanced in that they reflect divergent viewpoints (including a vigorous debate between two eminent philosophers), and readable in that they should be readily understood by the general reader.
Review
"Of all the ethical issues in medicine, euthanasia...is the most important...Euthanasia Examined is by far the best guide...that I have come across" Raymond Tallis, Times Literary Supplement"An invaluable reference source...given the momentum and world-wide prominence of the euthanasia debate, this book should be an essential part of any nursing or medical library." Simon Smith, Professional Nurse"John Keown has done a remarkable job by collecting and editing the 18 contributions...The book...is a must." Journal of the Royal College of Physicians"The debate on euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide is spreading. It promises to go on, to become more heated, and to grow more complex. This book lays the issues out in a clear, incisive, and lively way. It is an exceedingly valuable resource." Daniel Callahan. President, The Hastings Center, New York"...classic text on euthanasia is still relevant today...an important source of information for those wishing to be better informed about the debate." Bulletin of Medical Ethics"This collection of eighteen essays, most of them by British authors, offers the English-speaking nations a fresh chance to look at both sides of the euthanasia debate before they hasten to legalize the practice as Holland did in 1984." H.A. Nielsen, The Canadian Catholic Review
Synopsis
This book discusses thoroughly the major ethical, legal and clinical issues involved in the euthanasia debate.
Table of Contents
Foreword Daniel Callahan; Introduction John Keown; 1. Euthanasia and the value of life John Harris; 2. A philosophical case against euthanasia John Finnis; 3. The philosophical case against euthanasia John Harris; 4. The fragile case for euthanasia: a reply to John Harris John Finnis; 5. Final thoughts on final acts John Harris; 6. Misunderstanding the case against euthanasia: response to Harris's first reply John Finnis; 7. Euthanasia: back to the future Kenneth Boyd; 8. The case for legalising voluntary euthanasia Jean Davies; 9. Extracts from the Report of the House of Lords Select Committee on Medical Ethics; 10. Walton, Davies, Boyd and the legalization of euthanasia Luke Gormally; 11. Where there is hope, there is life: a view from the hospice Robert Twycross; 12. Letting vegetative patients die Brian Jennett; 13. A case for sometimes tube-feeding patients in persistent vegetative state Joseph Boyle; 14. Dilemmas at life's end: a comparative legal perspective Dieter Giesen; 15. Physician-assisted suicide: the last bridge to active voluntary euthanasia Yale Kamisar; 16. Euthanasia in the Netherlands: sliding down the slippery slope? John Keown; 17. Advance directives: a legal and ethical analysis Stuart Hornett; 18. Theological aspects of euthanasia Anthony Fisher; Index.