Euthanasia and Life Extension in Life and Death (1897)

This chapter unravels the philosophical themes that emanate from Frank Atha Westbury’s fairy tale Life and Death (1897). It will begin by outlining this short Australian story. It will then explain how Life and Death subtly ushers readers to ponder the ethics of intentionally shortening one’s life. The chapter will also discuss the philosophical questions that stem from the notion of radical life extension that is presented in Life and Death. It will reflect on the ethics of the human’s request to live longer and the ethics of the animals’ requests to live shorter lives and will conclude by linking these ideas to some philosophical ideas about what constitutes a good life.