I wanted to call attention to the recent publication of the second edition of “Euthanasia, Ethics, and Public Policy: An Argument Against Legalisation.” The first edition of this book was published in 2002. That book made a compelling case against the legalization of voluntary active euthanasia and physician assisted suicide. It did so be emphasizing the slippery slope arguments against legalization. He addressed the logical slippery slope argument–the idea that quality of life exceptions to the prohibition against intentional killing can’t be contained. He also addressed the empirical slippery slope argument–the idea that procedural safeguards in jurisdictions (e.g., the Netherlands, Belgium, Oregon) allowing assisted suicide or euthanasia cannot and do not effectively control the practices.
Much has happened since 2002 and the second edition updates the earlier analysis by focusing on the more recent experiences in jurisdictions that have legalized these practices. His analysis, which is marked by a keen understanding of both the legal developments and the actual practice of voluntary euthanasia and physician assisted suicide, further illustrates the force of both the logical and empirical arguments against legalization.
Keown’s second edition deserves a wide readership.