ENGLISH

Is Death Ever Preferable to Life?

By Ian N. Olver (auth.)

Book information

Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Year
2002
ISBN
978-90-481-6178-2, 978-94-017-1976-6
DOI
10.1007/978-94-017-1976-6
Language
english
Format
PDF
Filesize
5 MB (5337205 bytes)
Series
International Library of Ethics, Law, and the New Medicine 14
Edition
1
Pages
168\176
Time added
2013-12-12 02:00:00
Ethics; Theory of Medicine/Bioethics; Philosophy o

Description

This is an original contribution to the much debated area of the value that we should place on human life. With the euthanasia issue highlighted in the public arena this book argues for a non-absolutist highest value on life ethic and how that fits with society's current emphasis on individual autonomy. Not only are the arguments for and against placing a highest value on life explored but the way of arguing particularly the use of slippery slopes is discussed. By the use of everyday examples the impact of placing a high value on life is explored. A futuristic intensive care ward round illustrates the ethical and resource issues with which we would be challenged in adopting a highest value on life policy for medical decisions. This book will be useful for students of ethics, nursing and medicine as well as those engaged in the public debate on euthanasia.

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