Exeter College alumna publishes new book on assisted dying debate

Exeter College alumna Dr Kathleen Stock (1991, Philosophy and Modern Languages) has published her latest book, Do Not Go Gentle: The Case Against Assisted Death, offering a rigorous and timely intervention in the ongoing debate surrounding assisted dying. 

Published in April 2026, the book explores the ethical, philosophical, and social questions raised by proposals to legalise assisted death. Drawing on her academic background in philosophy, Dr Stock examines whether such measures genuinely promote autonomy and dignity, or whether they risk placing subtle pressures on vulnerable individuals at the end of life. 

Written for a broad readership, Do Not Go Gentle combines philosophical analysis with contemporary case studies and policy discussion. Dr Stock interrogates key arguments in favour of assisted dying, including appeals to compassion and personal choice, and considers how these claims intersect with real-world inequalities in healthcare provision. The book also reflects on the potential societal consequences of legal change, particularly in relation to ageing populations and the provision of palliative care. 

Dr Stock is a well-known public intellectual and the author of the bestselling Material Girls (2021). Her work is characterised by its clarity, intellectual independence, and willingness to engage with complex and often controversial issues. In Do Not Go Gentle, she continues this approach, contributing a distinctive philosophical perspective to a deeply contested public conversation. 

Do Not Go Gentle is available to purchase from Blackwells and other booksellers.