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Measuring the Functional Abilities of Children Aged 3-6 Years Old with Observational Methods and Computer Tools

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Disability: a welfarist approach.

Julian Savulescu¹, Guy Kahane

¹Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, University of Oxford , Littlegate House, St Ebbes Street, Oxford OX1 1PT , UK.

Clinical Ethics

|December 6, 2011

Summary

This paper introduces a welfarist approach to disability, defining it as a biological or psychological state impacting wellbeing within specific circumstances. This model differs from medical and social models by focusing on wellbeing and acknowledging environmental interactions without solely blaming social injustice.

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Area of Science:

Philosophy of Medicine
Disability Studies
Ethics

Background:

Traditional models of disability include the medical model (deviation from normal functioning) and the social model (harm from social prejudice).
These models have limitations in fully capturing the complex nature of disability and its impact on individual lives.

Purpose of the Study:

To propose and clarify a novel welfarist account of disability.
To differentiate this approach from existing medical and social models.
To demonstrate its utility in resolving ethical dilemmas concerning disability.

Main Methods:

Conceptual analysis and philosophical argumentation.
Comparison and contrast with established disability models.
Application of the welfarist framework to ethical case studies.

Main Results:

Disability is defined as a biological or psychological state that diminishes a person's wellbeing in specific environmental contexts.
The welfarist approach integrates aspects of both medical and social models but offers a distinct perspective on harm and causation.
This framework provides a nuanced understanding of disability, moving beyond essentialism and solely societal explanations.

Conclusions:

The welfarist approach offers a more comprehensive understanding of disability by centering individual wellbeing and environmental interactions.
It addresses limitations of prior models and provides a valuable tool for ethical analysis in disability contexts.
Further exploration of the welfarist model can refine our understanding and treatment of disability in diverse societal settings.