A History of Ideas Concerning Suicide, Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia

47 Pages Posted: 12 Nov 2007 Last revised: 28 Jun 2010

See all articles by Craig Paterson

Craig Paterson

Independent Scholar; Complutense - Faculty of Information Sciences

Date Written: 2005

Abstract

The article examines from an historical perspective some of the key ideas used in contemporary bioethics debates both for and against the practices of assisted suicide and euthanasia. Key thinkers examined -- spanning the Ancient, Medieval and Modern periods -- include Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, Hume, Kant, and Mill. The article concludes with a synthesizing summary of key ideas that oppose or defend assisted suicide and euthanasia.

Keywords: Suicide, Assisted Suicide, Euthanasia, Killing and Letting Die

Suggested Citation

Paterson, Craig, A History of Ideas Concerning Suicide, Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia (2005). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1029229 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1029229

Craig Paterson (Contact Author)

Independent Scholar ( email )

Topanga, CA 90290

Complutense - Faculty of Information Sciences ( email )

Carretera de Humera s/n
Madrid, Madrid 28223
Spain

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