Author : Ian N. Olver
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 9781402010293
Total Pages : 184 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (12 download)
Book Synopsis Is Death Ever Preferable to Life? by : Ian N. Olver
Download or read book Is Death Ever Preferable to Life? written by Ian N. Olver and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2002-11-30 with total page 184 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.