Resource Tag: RIGHT TO DIE

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The author discusses the controversy over voluntary euthanasia & the “right to die” from the perspective of someone who works in suicide prevention. He explores how those in such a situation can take the opportunity to clarify their own values & contribute to the developing consensus by proposing “ground rules” for this rapidly changing intellectual […]

See SIEC #2003-0129 & #2003-0130 for related articles.

See SIEC #2003-0128 for the original article by R D Ogden, & SIEC #2003-0130 for Ogden’s response to this article.

See SIEC #2003-0128 & #2003-0129 for related articles.

This chapter presents several philosophical theories that assert that individuals have the right to die. Theories based on individual rights, utilitarianism, & legislative efficacy are included. British cases are included to supplement philosophical judgments of moral worth. The controversy of voluntary choice in euthanasia is presented. Differences between active & passive euthanasia are included. The […]

This article provides a detailed comparison of the history of the origins, legislation, monitoring systems & the extent of assistance in dying in The Netherlands, Oregon & Switzerland, the only areas in the world where assistance in dying has legally been practised in recent years. Differences in practise, regulations, & normative concepts underlying legislation are […]

This chapter examines the philosophical tenet that individuals possess a right to choose death by self-inflicted means whenever they wish. Arguments regarding life as property, suicide as a right of autonomy, & suicide as a fundamental human right are included. A summary of Battin’s thesis (that suicide is a fundamental right) is presented. The author […]

This chapter discusses the philosophical issue that certain moral truths are true only because of the truth of certain religious truths. A discussion of this general argument, as presented by Euthyphro, is provided. The moral permissibility of suicide is scrutinized in relation to property rights & moral/religious truths. (SC)

This article comments on a case decision by the United States Supreme Court (Vacco v. Quill, 1997) which upheld the prohibition of physician-assisted suicide. The author argues that the Supreme Court incorrectly concluded that the right to die with assistance is not a fundamental right. He also argues that the state has no legitimate interest […]

The author examines the debate over whether or not one has a right to physician-assisted suicide in light of the conflict it causes between claims of individual liberty, personal autonomy & self determination versus preservation of life as a societal value. In this context, he examines the case against suicide, the difference between suicide & […]

The authors analyzed the amount & breadth of coverage given to topics related to death & dying in 28 introductory psychology textbooks published between 1995 & 2000. All included some information about death & dying, with suicide being the most most frequently addressed topic. The authors recommend that future textbooks include information to help students […]

This chapter addresses questions of ethics. The author asks what attitude people ought to adopt towards the claim that people have the right, not only to dispose of their lives at their own discretion, but if necessary, to seek the help & advice of others to this end. Although the author is himself an active […]

This paper describes the development of the controversy concerning the right to die & its possible resolution through contemporary court decisions & through evolving attitudes which emphasize patient & family participation in treatment decisions. The discussion includes the problem of defining death, the distiniction between active & passive euthanasia, the difficulties in securing legal recognition […]

This article is a follow-up to the article “When Suicide Prevention Becomes Brutality: the Case of Elizabeth Bouvia” also by G J Annas (SIEC #1985-0154), which reported on the case of Elizabeth Bouvia, a cerebral palsy victim who was force fed after attempting to starve herself during hospitalization. This article updates the case, discussing Bouvia’s […]

The author investigates the case of William Bartling, who in 1984 was ordered by a California court to spend the rest of his life in an intensive care unit. The case is used to illustrate the author’s views regarding patient autonomy. (6 refs)

Using the right to die and the Unites States Supreme Court case of Cruzan vs. Director, Missouri Department of Health as exemplars, this article explores the notion of third-order decision-making. If first-order decision-making is about what should happen, and second-order decision-making is about who should decide what should happen, then third-order decision-making is about who […]

See SIEC #2002-1153 for a commentary on this article by J Pal.

Claims that life is God’s property or gift have been prominent among reasons for rejecting the choice of death as morally legitimate. This essay examines the worth of arguments based upon such claims, considering what assumptions these arguments would require and what implications an approach based on them might have for particular types of cases. […]

See SIEC #2002-1077 for the original article by V Cosculluela.

The author discusses in detail the developments that have taken place over time in philosophical and traditional Christian and Jewish views regarding the taking of one’s life and the obligation to preserve one’s life at all costs, which, it is argued, represent considerable progress in ethical undertanding. In particular, the legislative and legal processes by […]

The author examines the argument that legalization of voluntary euthanasia would cause the right to die to become a duty to die due to the pressure or moral blackmail that patients would be subjected to. The premises on which this argument is based are considered, as is the argument constitutes an objection. The author explores […]

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