The Least Worst Death: Essays in Bioethics on the End of Life (Monographs in Epidemiology and) - Softcover

Battin, Margaret Pabst

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0195082656 ISBN 13: 9780195082654

Publisher: Oxford University Press USA, 1994

Synopsis

In this collection of essays by one of the foremost philosophers writing about issues of death and dying, the dilemmas raised by contemporary medicine concerning the way we die are explored. The volume focuses on the issues of withdrawing and withholding care, euthanasia, and suicide. Battin has written an extensive introduction which identifies the principle ethical issues and surveys the current political and social ferment over right-to-die issues. The essays range from treatments of the moral and philosophical issues to essays in practice and policy.

About this title

Review:

Margaret Pabst Battin is one of the most intelligent of writers on medical ethics, and this collection of her essays proves a provocative pleasure to read. (Studies in Christian Ethics)

Margaret Pabst Battin is singularly placed to write on euthanasia ... Battin is not only a good philosopher, she is a practical philosopher. She adopts a problem-oriented approach to bioethics, selecting a specific issue and always attempting to provide circumspect and reasoned solutions ... This book says much that is significant, and there is much more to praise than to criticise. It is a fine example of scholarship, a rich resource of historical and contemporary examples, and US case law. For the second time in a decade and a half, contemporary bioethics owes a debt to Margaret Pabst Battin. (Journal of Medical Ethics)

From the Back Cover:

Engagingly written by one of the foremost experts on issues involving death and dying, this book offers insight into the controversial and often difficult topics of withdrawing and withholding care, euthanasia, and suicide. An extensive introduction identifies the principal ethical issues, and the book explores such dilemmas as rationing health care for the elderly, whether there is a "duty to die", counseling in rational suicide, the risks of abuse with active euthanasia, religious views about suicide, whether suicide can be understood as a fundamental human right, and others. It also examines the differing practices of Holland and Germany in ending life. Exploring the dilemmas raised by contemporary medicine concerning the way we die, and collecting under one cover a myriad of crucial elements involving one of the most inflammatory issues of our time, The Least Worst Death presents a timely, international analysis for anyone interested in bioethics or medical and applied ethics.

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press USA
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0195082656
• ISBN 13: 9780195082654
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320