Do We Have the Right to Die?
Published on 21. May 2026
Book
Hardback
176 pages
978-1-84792-938-9 (ISBN)
Description
Two expert thinkers tackle one of the most difficult and divisive issues of our times: assisted dying
'Absolutely fantastic. It gives you a deep sense of the morality, the legality, the technicality. Invaluable' XAND VAN TULLEKEN
'Nuanced and thoughtful' OBSERVER
As pressure grows to legalise assisted dying in the UK, this book illuminates the legal and ethical fault lines at the heart of the debate. Lady Hale, former president of the Supreme Court, argues that everyone should have the freedom to decide the time and manner of their own death. Drawing on real cases in real courts, she explores how the law might establish e-ffective safeguards while preserving an individual's right to decide for themselves when their suffering becomes unbearable.
Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury, sits in opposition, contending that no such right can ever be absolute, or unqualified. He raises moral and practical concerns about the protection of vulnerable communities - especially those living with disabilities - the pressures facing an already overstretched NHS and the risk that assisted dying could become a substitute for properly funded palliative care.
Both confront the decisions we all must face: who should be eligible for assisted dying; how should the programme be authorised; and what modern medicine could, and should, provide. Ultimately, they turn to a deeper challenge: how a public healthcare system can universally uphold dignity, and what it would truly mean to offer us all what we profoundly deserve - a good death.
Published in conjunction with Intelligence Squared, the world's leading curator of debate, this book is part of the Think Again series: short books that present two contrasting but equally persuasive views in a single volume
'Absolutely fantastic. It gives you a deep sense of the morality, the legality, the technicality. Invaluable' XAND VAN TULLEKEN
'Nuanced and thoughtful' OBSERVER
As pressure grows to legalise assisted dying in the UK, this book illuminates the legal and ethical fault lines at the heart of the debate. Lady Hale, former president of the Supreme Court, argues that everyone should have the freedom to decide the time and manner of their own death. Drawing on real cases in real courts, she explores how the law might establish e-ffective safeguards while preserving an individual's right to decide for themselves when their suffering becomes unbearable.
Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury, sits in opposition, contending that no such right can ever be absolute, or unqualified. He raises moral and practical concerns about the protection of vulnerable communities - especially those living with disabilities - the pressures facing an already overstretched NHS and the risk that assisted dying could become a substitute for properly funded palliative care.
Both confront the decisions we all must face: who should be eligible for assisted dying; how should the programme be authorised; and what modern medicine could, and should, provide. Ultimately, they turn to a deeper challenge: how a public healthcare system can universally uphold dignity, and what it would truly mean to offer us all what we profoundly deserve - a good death.
Published in conjunction with Intelligence Squared, the world's leading curator of debate, this book is part of the Think Again series: short books that present two contrasting but equally persuasive views in a single volume
Reviews / Votes
[A] nuanced and thoughtful book ... featuring pro (Hale) and anti (Williams) arguments that acknowledge the strengths of the other side's position while meticulously identifying its weaknesses -- Andrew Anthony * Observer * This is as fundamental, as serious, a topic as any Western society can face. And Hale and Williams make for worthy debate partners -- Nina Power * Telegraph * Absolutely fantastic. It gives you a deep sense of the morality, the legality, the technicality with its deep concern for human suffering and human life. Invaluable -- Xand van TullekenMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Vintage Publishing
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 221 mm
Width: 135 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
286 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84792-938-9 (9781847929389)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Lady Hale | Rowan Williams
Do We Have the Right to Die?
E-Book
05/2026
Vintage Digital
€14.99
Available for download
Persons
Lady Hale (Author)
Brenda Hale, Rt Hon the Baroness Hale of Richmond DBE, was born in Yorkshire and studied Law at Girton College, Cambridge. She was called to the Bar in 1969 and spent almost twenty years in academia whilst also practising as a barrister for a short time.
In 1984, Lady Hale became the first woman and the youngest person to be appointed to the Law Commission, where she oversaw critical reforms in family law and mental disability law. She also began sitting as a part time judge, was appointed a QC in 1989, and became a full time judge in the Family Division of the High Court of England and Wales in 1994.
She was the first and only woman to become a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary, joining the appellate committee of the House of Lords in 2004, when it was still the top court for the whole United Kingdom. She was the first woman to serve on the newly created Supreme Court, was appointed Deputy President in 2013, and its President from 2017 to 2020.
She lives in Richmond, North Yorkshire.
She is the author of the acclaimed memoir Spider Woman and With the Law On Our Side.
Rowan Williams (Author)
Rowan Williams, Baron Williams of Oystermouth, is a former Archbishop of Canterbury and was until 2020 Master of Magdalene College at the University of Cambridge. He is the author of many books and poetry collections, including Looking East in Winter, Holy Living, The Edge of Words and Solidarity. He lives in Cardiff and continues to broadcast, preach and lecture internationally. In 2022, he gave the second of the BBC's centenary Reith Lectures. He is contributing writer to the New Statesman.
Brenda Hale, Rt Hon the Baroness Hale of Richmond DBE, was born in Yorkshire and studied Law at Girton College, Cambridge. She was called to the Bar in 1969 and spent almost twenty years in academia whilst also practising as a barrister for a short time.
In 1984, Lady Hale became the first woman and the youngest person to be appointed to the Law Commission, where she oversaw critical reforms in family law and mental disability law. She also began sitting as a part time judge, was appointed a QC in 1989, and became a full time judge in the Family Division of the High Court of England and Wales in 1994.
She was the first and only woman to become a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary, joining the appellate committee of the House of Lords in 2004, when it was still the top court for the whole United Kingdom. She was the first woman to serve on the newly created Supreme Court, was appointed Deputy President in 2013, and its President from 2017 to 2020.
She lives in Richmond, North Yorkshire.
She is the author of the acclaimed memoir Spider Woman and With the Law On Our Side.
Rowan Williams (Author)
Rowan Williams, Baron Williams of Oystermouth, is a former Archbishop of Canterbury and was until 2020 Master of Magdalene College at the University of Cambridge. He is the author of many books and poetry collections, including Looking East in Winter, Holy Living, The Edge of Words and Solidarity. He lives in Cardiff and continues to broadcast, preach and lecture internationally. In 2022, he gave the second of the BBC's centenary Reith Lectures. He is contributing writer to the New Statesman.