The Modern Art of Dying

A History of Euthanasia in the United States

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Cultural Studies, Death & Dying, Sociology
Cover of the book The Modern Art of Dying by Shai J. Lavi, Princeton University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Shai J. Lavi ISBN: 9781400826773
Publisher: Princeton University Press Publication: January 10, 2009
Imprint: Princeton University Press Language: English
Author: Shai J. Lavi
ISBN: 9781400826773
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication: January 10, 2009
Imprint: Princeton University Press
Language: English

How we die reveals much about how we live. In this provocative book, Shai Lavi traces the history of euthanasia in the United States to show how changing attitudes toward death reflect new and troubling ways of experiencing pain, hope, and freedom.

Lavi begins with the historical meaning of euthanasia as signifying an "easeful death." Over time, he shows, the term came to mean a death blessed by the grace of God, and later, medical hastening of death. Lavi illustrates these changes with compelling accounts of changes at the deathbed. He takes us from early nineteenth-century deathbeds governed by religion through the medicalization of death with the physician presiding over the deathbed, to the legalization of physician-assisted suicide.

Unlike previous books, which have focused on law and technique as explanations for the rise of euthanasia, this book asks why law and technique have come to play such a central role in the way we die. What is at stake in the modern way of dying is not human progress, but rather a fundamental change in the way we experience life in the face of death, Lavi argues. In attempting to gain control over death, he maintains, we may unintentionally have ceded control to policy makers and bio-scientific enterprises.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

How we die reveals much about how we live. In this provocative book, Shai Lavi traces the history of euthanasia in the United States to show how changing attitudes toward death reflect new and troubling ways of experiencing pain, hope, and freedom.

Lavi begins with the historical meaning of euthanasia as signifying an "easeful death." Over time, he shows, the term came to mean a death blessed by the grace of God, and later, medical hastening of death. Lavi illustrates these changes with compelling accounts of changes at the deathbed. He takes us from early nineteenth-century deathbeds governed by religion through the medicalization of death with the physician presiding over the deathbed, to the legalization of physician-assisted suicide.

Unlike previous books, which have focused on law and technique as explanations for the rise of euthanasia, this book asks why law and technique have come to play such a central role in the way we die. What is at stake in the modern way of dying is not human progress, but rather a fundamental change in the way we experience life in the face of death, Lavi argues. In attempting to gain control over death, he maintains, we may unintentionally have ceded control to policy makers and bio-scientific enterprises.

More books from Princeton University Press

Cover of the book Viewpoints by Shai J. Lavi
Cover of the book Why Nationalism by Shai J. Lavi
Cover of the book Red State Religion by Shai J. Lavi
Cover of the book Competition Policy and Price Fixing by Shai J. Lavi
Cover of the book First Nights by Shai J. Lavi
Cover of the book Soren Kierkegaard by Shai J. Lavi
Cover of the book Oversight by Shai J. Lavi
Cover of the book Scurvy by Shai J. Lavi
Cover of the book The Leaderless Economy by Shai J. Lavi
Cover of the book Arbitrary Power by Shai J. Lavi
Cover of the book The Godfather Doctrine by Shai J. Lavi
Cover of the book The Hand of Compassion by Shai J. Lavi
Cover of the book Understanding the Digital World by Shai J. Lavi
Cover of the book Illiberal Reformers by Shai J. Lavi
Cover of the book There Goes the Gayborhood? by Shai J. Lavi
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy