脳死：哲学的概念・問題 Brain Death : Philosophical Concepts and Problems (Ashgate New Critical Thinking in Philosophy)

Russell, Tom

Ashgate Pub Ltd（2000/04発売）

• 製本 Hardcover:ハードカバー版／ページ数 183 p.
• 言語 ENG
• 商品コード 9780754612100
• DDC分類 128.5

基本説明

Offers invaluable new insights for those researching or studying across areas of medical ethics, applied ethics, death studies and the philosophy of science.

Full Description

What is brain death? At what point does a human life begin or end? Thomas Russell presents his concept of death, viewing death as death of the organism as a whole and answering the question "what is death?" with an examination of what constitutes life. Drawing on philosophical arguments, Russell argues that all current concepts of brain death are conceptually inadequate, but a new concept of death, applicable to all living entities, can encompass the traditional criteria and tests for death and does not entail any significant operational changes in the way in which death is diagnosed. From an historical review and examination of concepts of death, Russell considers key topics including: different brain states; conditions for life; biological concepts; and the moment of death.

Contents

Introduction and historical review of concepts of death; current concepts of death and brain death; is there a difference between those declared "brain dead" and those in persistent vegetative state and other abnormal brain states?; reasons for rejection of the present concepts of death; consideration of different brain states in relation to different concepts of death; can there be necessary and sufficient conditions for life?; justification for the adoption of a biological concept of death; does anything that contributes to homeostasis count toward homeostasis?; is brain death necessary and sufficient for death?; when does death occur?; operational changes as a result of the suggested concept of death.