
Easeful Death
Is There A Case For Assisted Dying?
Oxford University Press
Published on 13. June 2008
Book
Hardback
176 pages
978-0-19-953990-1 (ISBN)
Description
Easeful Death sets out in straightforward terms the main arguments both for and against the legalization of assisted suicide and euthanasia. The legal choices confronting those caring for the terminally ill, and indeed those patients themselves who may be facing intolerable suffering towards the end of their lives, have been the cause of fierce public debate in recent years. The book takes as its starting point attempts in Britain and other countries to bring compassion into the rules governing the end of a patient's life. Drawing on experience in the Netherlands, Belgium, and the US state of Oregon, where either assisted dying or euthanasia have been legalized, the authors explore the philosophical and ethical views on both sides of the debate, and examine how different legislative proposals would affect different members of society, from the very young to the very old. They describe the practical, medical processes of palliative care, self-denial of food and water, and assisted dying and euthanasia, and ultimately conclude that the public is ready to embrace a more compassionate approach to assisted dying.This sensitive and authoritative short volume is informed throughout by a strong sense that, whatever the results of the legislative argument, compassion for one another must be both the guide and the restraint upon the way we treat people who are dying or who want to die.
Reviews / Votes
[The authors] set out with exemplary clarity reasons for prohibiting or permitting physicians to "help" patients to die. Their arguments are cogent, illuminating, and in many ways convincing. Onora O'Neill, The Lancet An extremely lucid and sympathetic interrogation Steven Poole, The Guardian. Sensitive and succinct book...This book not only has the power to stimulate informed discussion, but also to shape social policy and inform good professional practice. ...'Easeful Death' deserves a wide readership and it should be compulsory reading for politicians and policymakers. Times Higher Education. Julia Stone.More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 196 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
293 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-953990-1 (9780199539901)
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

Book
02/2009
Oxford University Press
€9.89
Article exhausted; check different version
Persons
Author
Life Peer and Member of House of Lords Select Committee on Euthanasia
Consultant Emeritus, Guy's Hospital, London
Content
1. Fundamental principles; 2. Types of euthanasia; 3. Psychiatric assisted suicide; 4. Neonates; 5. Incompetent adults; 6. Human life is sacred; 7. The slippery slope; 8. Medical views; 9. Four methods of easing death and the effect these have on the doctors performing them; 10. Looking further ahead; Notes and references