Human Identity and Bioethics (Hardcover)

David DeGrazia

ISBN 10: 052182561X / ISBN 13: 9780521825610

Published by Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2005

About this Item

Hardcover. 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. When philosophers address personal identity, they usually explore numerical identity: what are the criteria for a person's continuing existence? When non-philosophers address it, 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. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780521825610

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Human Identity and Bioethics (Hardcover)
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
• Publication Date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 052182561X
• ISBN 13: 9780521825610
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

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.

Book Description

When philosophers address personal identity, they usually explore numerical identity: what are the criteria for a person's continuing existence? When non-philosophers address it, 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.