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We Are Human Beings.

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  • 1Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia a.mcgee@qut.edu.au.

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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This paper argues that neither Jeff McMahan nor Derek Parfit successfully prove we are not human beings. Therefore, their arguments do not establish ethical conclusions about the moral status of embryos or PVS patients.

Keywords:
McMahanPVSParfitbraindicephalusembryoembryonic stem cell researchhuman beinghuman organismorgan donationpersontransplant

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Area of Science:

  • Philosophy of Mind
  • Bioethics
  • Metaphysics

Background:

  • Philosophers Jeff McMahan and Derek Parfit argue that personal identity is not tied to being a human organism.
  • Their arguments challenge traditional views on human identity and its relation to moral status.
  • This philosophical debate has significant implications for bioethical issues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically analyze McMahan's and Parfit's arguments against the human organism view of personal identity.
  • To evaluate whether these arguments successfully undermine the basis for attributing moral status to human embryos and PVS patients.
  • To assert that the human organism view remains a viable foundation for ethical considerations.

Main Methods:

  • Philosophical argumentation and critical analysis.
  • Examination of logical structures in McMahan's and Parfit's claims.
  • Conceptual analysis of 'human being' and 'human organism' in ethical contexts.

Main Results:

  • McMahan's and Parfit's arguments for not being human organisms are found to be unconvincing.
  • The authors' critiques suggest that their conclusions regarding embryos and PVS patients are not adequately supported.
  • The human organism criterion for personhood is presented as a robust alternative.

Conclusions:

  • Neither McMahan nor Parfit has demonstrated that individuals are not human organisms.
  • The ethical conclusions drawn by McMahan regarding the moral status of embryos and PVS patients are therefore unsubstantiated.
  • The paper advocates for retaining the human organism view in bioethical discourse.