Human identity and bioethics

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Title:

Author:

DeGrazia, David

ISBN:

9780521825610

9780521532686

Personal Author:

DeGrazia, David

Edition:

1. publ.

Publication Information:

Cambridge [u.a.] Cambridge University Press 2005

Physical Description:

xi, 300 p. ; 24 cm.

General Note:

Includes bibliographical references and index

Contents:

Introduction -- Human persons-- numerical identity and essence -- Human persons-- narrative identity and self-creation -- Identity, what we are, and the definition of death -- Advance directives, dementia, and the someone else problem -- Enhancement technologies and self-creation -- Prenatal identity-- genetic interventions, reproductive choices

Subject Term:

Identity (Philosophical concept)

Social identification.

Human beings.

Bioethics.

Copies:

Available:*

Library	Material Type	Item Barcode	Shelf Number	Copy	Status
Searching... 1:IIEMSA	1:GEN-BOOK	33168025425733	179.7 D321H 2005	1	Searching... Unknown

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Summary

When philosophers address personal identity, they usually explore numerical identity: what are the criteria for a person's continuing existence? When non-philosophers address personal identity, they often have in mind narrative identity: Which characteristics of a particular person are salient to her self-conception? This book develops accounts of both senses of identity, arguing that both are normatively important, and is unique in its exploration of a range of issues in bioethics through the lens of identity. Defending a biological view of our numerical identity and a framework for understanding narrative identity, DeGrazia investigates various issues for which considerations of identity prove critical: the definition of death; the authority of advance directives in cases of severe dementia; the use of enhancement technologies; prenatal genetic interventions; and certain types of reproductive choices. He demonstrates the power of personal identity theory to illuminate issues in bioethics as they bring philosophical theory to life.