A Biological Theory of Death: Characterization, Justification, and Implications Cover Image

A Biological Theory of Death: Characterization, Justification, and Implications
A Biological Theory of Death: Characterization, Justification, and Implications

Author(s): Michael Nair-Collins
Subject(s): Social Philosophy
Published by: Instytut Filozofii Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego
Keywords: Lizza; death; definition of death; brain death; neurological criteria for determining death

Summary/Abstract: John P. Lizza has long been a major figure in the scholarly literature on criteria for death. His searching and penetrating critiques of the dominant biological paradigm, and his defense of a theory of death of the person as a psychophysical entity, have both significantly advanced the literature. In this special issue, Lizza reinforces his critiques of a strictly biological approach. In my commentary, I take up Lizza’s challenge regarding a biological concept of death. He is certainly right to point out that science is not value-free; however, this does not imply that there cannot be a characterization of biological death that can be shown to be superior to other concepts. After characterizing and justifying such a theory of biological death, I show that patients who meet the diagnostic criteria for brain death are unequivocally biologically alive. However, with respect to concepts of personhood and related ideas (as opposed to biology), I urge the acceptance of a pluralism of such concepts for matters of public policy.

  • Issue Year: 2018
  • Issue No: 55
  • Page Range: 27-43
  • Page Count: 17
  • Language: English