Analyzing the concepts of intention and causation in euthanasia, this timely new book explores a broad selection of disciplines, including criminal and medical law, medical ethics, philosophy and social policy and suggests an alternative solution to the one currently used by the courts, based on grading different categories of killing into a formalized justificatory defence.
This text explores how culpability, blameworthiness and liability are ascribed and how ascertaining mens rea and actus reus are problematic in an end-of-life decision-making scenario. Williams criticizes the way the courts rely so exclusively on the criminal concepts of intention and causation in such medical scenarios and examines and raises awareness of the inadequate and inappropriate legal framework within in which judges have to operate.
Topical and compelling, this significant contribution argues for a more open and honest approach which would, in turn, provide the certainty, consistency and equality required by the law.
This is a quintessential read for all students studying medical and healthcare law and the legal aspects of health and medicine.
By:
Glenys Williams Imprint: Routledge Cavendish Country of Publication: United Kingdom Dimensions:
Height: 234mm,
Width: 156mm,
Spine: 14mm
Weight: 566g ISBN:9781844720279 ISBN 10: 1844720276 Series:Biomedical Law and Ethics Library Pages: 244 Publication Date:21 December 2006 Audience:
College/higher education
,
Primary
,
A / AS level
Format:Hardback Publisher's Status: Active
The Concept of Intention. The Principle of Double Effect. Acts and Omissions. Causation. Is a Patient who Refuses Treatment Committing Suicide? Does a Doctor who Withdraws Treatment Assist in a Patient's Suicide? Reforms and the Future
Glenys Williams is at the Department of Law, University of Wales Aberystwyth.