In this special episode Philosophers Professor Michael Cholbi and Professor Michael Gill discuss the recent vote (17/03/26) rejecting The Assisted Dying Bill in the Scottish Parliament. The bill would have allowed terminally ill adults in Scotland, who are eligible, to lawfully request, and be provided with, assistance by health professionals to end their own life. Regardless of one’s position, the debate should be informed by the empirical evidence that’s already out there. Professor Michael Gill Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube Watch on MediaHopper This episode's guests Professor Michael CholbiMichael is Professor and Personal Chair in Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh. He has published widely in ethical theory, practical ethics, and the philosophy of death and dying.His book Grief: A Philosophical Guide provides an engaging and illuminating exploration of grief—and why, despite its intense pain, it can also help us grow.Professor Cholbi is also founding member of The Philosophers’ Consortium on Assisted Dying in Scotland (PCADS), a group of Scotland-based philosophers offering expert advocacy on behalf of the legalisation of assisted dying in Scotland.Professor Michael GillMichael works on ethics from historical and contemporary perspectives. He writes about eighteenth century theories that hold that morality is based on human sentiments, and about recent developments in meta-ethics and moral psychology.He is also a member of PCADS.Related LinksProf Michael CholbiProf Michael GillFreedom over deathSuicide - Stanford Encyclopedia of PhilosophyWhen Is Self-perceived Burden an Acceptable Reason to Hasten Death? Is the Legalization of Physician-Assisted Suicide Compatible with Good End-of-Life Care?A moral defense of Oregon's physician-assisted suicide lawThe Philosophy of Grief This article was published on 2026-03-25
