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Potentiality, irreversibility, and death
1Department of Philosophy, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, Kutztown, PA 19530, USA. lizza@kutztown.edu
The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy
|April 9, 2005
Summary
Concerns about the definition of death and organ donation stem from misunderstandings of potentiality and irreversibility. This study clarifies these concepts, supporting neurological criteria for death and ethical organ donation practices.
Area of Science:
- Medical Ethics
- Neuroscience
- Philosophy of Medicine
Background:
- Growing debate exists regarding the irreversible nature of death, particularly concerning neurological criteria and non-heart-beating organ donation.
- Concerns focus on the potential for recovery in individuals declared dead based on neurological criteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the concepts of potentiality and irreversibility in discussions on the definition of death.
- To analyze D. Alan Shewmon's challenge to neurological criteria for death.
- To propose a realistic understanding of irreversibility for death criteria and organ donation.
Main Methods:
- Philosophical analysis of the concepts of potentiality and irreversibility.
- Critique of D. Alan Shewmon's arguments regarding neurological death criteria.
- Examination of discussions surrounding non-heart-beating organ donation.
Main Results:
- Shewmon's concept of potentiality is deemed problematic and unrealistic.
- A more realistic concept of potentiality aligns with accepting neurological criteria for death.
- Certain discussions on irreversibility in organ donation also employ unrealistic concepts.
Conclusions:
- A refined understanding of potentiality supports neurological criteria for death.
- A realistic account of irreversibility is crucial for defining death and ethical organ donation.
- This work offers a framework for understanding irreversibility in medical contexts.
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