A concise history of euthanasia : life, death, God, and medicine

Resource Information

The work A concise history of euthanasia : life, death, God, and medicine represents a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in University of Missouri-St. Louis Libraries. This resource is a combination of several types including: Work, Language Material, Books.

Label

A concise history of euthanasia : life, death, God, and medicine

Title remainder

life, death, God, and medicine

Statement of responsibility

Ian Dowbiggin

Creator

• Dowbiggin, Ian Robert, 1952-

Subject

• Euthanasia -- ethics
• Euthanasia -- history
• Euthanasia
• Right to Die
• Religion and Medicine

Language

eng

Summary

"In this first book to explore euthanasia worldwide since classical antiquity, Ian Dowbiggin exposes the many disturbing themes that link present and past in the concept of the right to die. His deeply informed history traces the controversial record of "mercy killing," a source of heated debate among doctors and laypeople alike. Dowbiggin examines evolving opinions about what constitutes a good death, taking into account the societal and religious values placed on sin, suffering, resignation, judgment, penance, and redemption. He also examines the bitter struggle between those who advocate for the right to compassionate and effective end-of-life care and those who justify euthanasia by defining human life in terms of biological criteria, utilitarian standards, a faith in science, humane medical treatment, the principle of personal autonomy, or individual human rights. The author considers both the influence of technological and behavioral changes in the practice of medicine and the public's surprising lack of awareness of death's many clinical and biological dimensions." "Dowbiggin reminds us that the stakes in the struggle are enormously high, with the lives of countless vulnerable people hanging in the balance. His provocative historical perspective is indispensable for patients, families, governments, and the medical community debating when it is time to let go of life. Bound to spark controversy, this book takes issue with the right to die movement over the question of legalizing either assisted suicide or lethal injection and raises profound personal and collective questions on the future of euthanasia."--Jacket

Member of

• Critical issues in history

Cataloging source

DLC

Dewey number

179.7

Index

index present

LC call number

R726

LC item number

.D688 2005

Literary form

non fiction

Nature of contents

bibliography

NLM call number

WB 60

NLM item number

D744c 2005

Series statement

Critical issues in history