Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide [Paperback]

Michael Manning (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1998

A concise overview of the history and arguments surrounding euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A clear and readable overview of the issues and arguments about the euthanasia debate. -- Theological Studies

A concise, clearly written book. -- Ashland Theological Journal

All readers will find it a valuable reference. -- Choice

Offers a thorough, accessible and up-to-date overview of crucial ethical issues. -- Catholic Library World

Well-written, concise, compact. -- Calvin Theological Journal

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Paulist Press; 1 edition (January 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809138042
• ISBN-13: 978-0809138043
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #776,463 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Professional & Technical > Medical > Medicine > Medical Ethics
  • #12 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Health, Mind & Body > Death & Grief > Suicide
  • #16 in Books > Medical Books > Medicine > Euthanasia

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Physician priest shares his views, November 29, 1998

By 

Patricia L. Marks (Morristown, NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide (Paperback)

The author of this book launched a second career as a priest. He now serves as pastor of St. Gregory the Great Parish in Hamilton Township, NJ. Manning comments :"There's a sense of fatalism that can seize people of good will. That's why it's so important that we talk about it." Manning brings a unique and knowledgeable perspective to this crucial issue. As a physician he speaks from experience. As a priest/ethicist he brings moral/spiritual depth to the discussion. The whole issue of euthanasia brings to mind the easy accommodation that Nazi doctors reached regarding their horrendous experimentation on the "expendable" Jews and other victims in the Holocaust. What looks like a humane issue at first glance, yields disturbing portents upon further examination. Read Manning's book !

2.0 out of 5 stars IDEAS HAVE CONSEQUENCES, October 1, 2010

By 

Eric Rachut "Furor teutonicus" - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide (Paperback)

I read this book in researching a paper on euthanasia; the author seemed, as a Christian clergyman and former gastroenterologist, to have a unique perspective.
Surprisingly, given this background, Father Manning gives a date in the "BCE" and
"CE" (as opposed to BC and AD) terminology,favored by those who have a negative attitude towards Christianity. More disturbing than this is the author's support for passive euthanasia - the withholding of nutrition and fluids from patients, especially those with decreased levels of consciousness (he mentions he does not like the designation of passive euthanasia - euphemisms are preferred today).
Mentioned parenthetically,on page 20, is the determination that the denial of adequate medical care to noviates is ethical. Forty years ago my wife was a noviate nun (SND) in Chardon, Ohio; she had a pulmonary exposure at the time - not adequately treated - which has resulted in progressive and inoperable bronchiectasis, a potentially fatal lung condition. I am not sure how canon law would analyze this. Maybe we could try Luke 14 or Matthew 25:41-45.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great frame of reference for intro to debate on euthanasia!, December 16, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide (Paperback)

Father Manning does a wonderful job describing the historical background of euthanasia and developing a frame of reference for the discussion of euthanasia in today's society. In exploring the concepts of self-determination, compassionate care for the dying and the important disctinction between killing and allowing to die, Father Manning quickly brings the reader up to speed on the subject. The author goes further into the ethics of euthanasia by presenting the slippery slope argument and the principle of the common good. The book has an extensive bibliography and citations from varied sources that include leading ethicists, as well as Cardinal Bernadin and Pope John Paul II. Father Manning's intelligent prose draws the reader into serious contemplation of this complex topic. Filled with many points-of-departure for thought and prayer!