The Right to Die' by Russel Ogden

Russel Ogden has presented a case for legislation legalizing euthanasia, and buttressed it with a variety of supposed 'social benefits' emanating from this legalization. In the process he dismisses the concerns of opponents of euthanasia, particularly the 'slippery slope' argument which submits that once euthanasia is permitted, it will lead to involuntary euthanasia as well. And he provides a rather selective assessment of the entire aid-in-dying controversy. It is not possible in a short commentary such as this to discuss every issue that Ogden raises. I will endeavour, however, to point out a number of the grave weaknesses in his position and demonstrate that he himself has already slid down the slippery slope in his own thinking, apparently without even realizing it! His position is really quite frightening, based as it is on the view that some elite Board, appointed by the Minister of Health, and espousing the appropriate views of 'liberalism, and civil libertarianism' will have the final decision-making power over who is to live or not live. Ogden's position is even more frightening when we see the philosophy underlying it. Gone from his frame of reference is any regard for the validity of the principle of the sanctity of human life, which has undergirded our civilized society for many centuries. Instead, he rests his case on 'the principles of equality of justice, individual autonomy, and self-determination'; which he repeats three times in four pages, apparently to ensure the reader does not miss them. This is just another set of variants on the 'put yourself first,' 'please yourself,' 'if it feels good do it' philosophy that is so popular today, and yet so destructive of the very fabric of our society. It is a self-centred philosophy. And it is summarized in a paragraph on page 17 of Ogden's article, which to me is one of the saddest, most despairing paragraphs I have ever read. Let me reproduce it here so we can have another look at it

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• Euthanasia

  Open Access•Clifton D Bryant•The Blackwell Encyclopedia of…•2007

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• The Right to Die

  Rüssel D Ogden, Russel Ogden•Canadian Public Policy•1994

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• The Right to Die

  Rüssel D Ogden, Russel Ogden•Canadian Public Policy•1994

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