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The impairment/disability distinction: a response to Shakespeare
1Centre for Philosophy, Humanities & Law in Healthcare, 7th Floor, Vivian Tower, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK. s.d.edwards@swansea.ac.uk
Journal of Medical Ethics
|December 25, 2007
Summary
This paper critiques Tom Shakespeare's challenge to the social model of disability, specifically his impairment/disability distinction argument. Responses rebut Shakespeare's case, highlighting tensions with his critical realist perspective.
Area of Science:
- Social Sciences
- Disability Studies
- Philosophy
Background:
- Tom Shakespeare's book offers a critique of the social model of disability.
- A central argument challenges the impairment/disability distinction within this model.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze and respond to Shakespeare's arguments against the impairment/disability distinction.
- To examine the consistency of Shakespeare's critical realist perspective with his arguments.
Main Methods:
- Summary and critical evaluation of three specific arguments presented by Shakespeare.
- Analysis of the philosophical underpinnings of the impairment/disability distinction.
Main Results:
- The paper's responses effectively rebut Shakespeare's arguments concerning the impairment/disability distinction.
- Shakespeare's use of a critical realist perspective appears inconsistent with his critique of the distinction.
Conclusions:
- Shakespeare's challenge to the impairment/disability distinction is adequately rebutted.
- There is a notable tension between Shakespeare's stated critical realist framework and his specific arguments against the social model's core distinctions.
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