Death: The Loss of Life-Constitutive Integration

Main Article Content

Doyen Nguyen
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4405-4081

Abstract

This discussion note aims to address the two points which Lizza raises regarding my critique of his paper “Defining Death: Beyond Biology,” namely that I mistakenly attribute a Lockean view to his ‘higher brain death’ position and that, with respect to the ‘brain death’ controversy, both the notions of the organism as a whole and somatic integration are unclear and vague. First, it is known from the writings of constitutionalist scholars that the constitution view of human persons, a theory which Lizza also holds, has its roots in John Locke’s thought. Second, contrary to Lizza’s claims, the notions of the organism as a whole and somatic integration are both more than adequately described in the biomedical and biophilosophical literature.

Article Details

How to Cite
“Death: The Loss of Life-Constitutive Integration”. 2018. Diametros 16 (60): 72-78. https://doi.org/10.33392/diam.1244.
Section
Discussions
Author Biography

Doyen Nguyen, Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum)

Doyen Nguyen, M.D., S.T.D.
Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) Theology
1 Largo Angelicum
00184 Rome, Italy

E-mail: btursiopsdn@gmail.com

How to Cite

“Death: The Loss of Life-Constitutive Integration”. 2018. Diametros 16 (60): 72-78. https://doi.org/10.33392/diam.1244.
Share |

References

Baker L.R. (2000), Persons and Bodies: A Constitution View, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139173124

Baker L.R. (2002), “Précis of Persons and Bodies: A Constitution View,” Philosophy and Phenomenological Research 64 (3): 592–598. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1933-1592.2002.tb00162.x

Bernat J.L., Culver C.M., Gert B. (1981), “On the Definition and Criterion of Death,” Annals of Internal Medicine 94 (3): 389–394. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-94-3-389

Bonelli J., Prat E.H., Auner N., Bonelli R. (1993), “Brain Death: Understanding the Organism as a Whole,” Medicina e Morale 49 (3): 497–515.

Degrazia D. (2002), “Are We Essentially Persons? Olson, Baker, and a Reply,” The Philosophical Forum 33 (1): 101–120. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9191.00083

Jonas H. (1966), The Phenomenon of Life: Toward a Philosophical Biology, Harper & Row, New York.

Korein J. (1997), “Ontogenesis of the Brain in the Human Organism: Definitions of Life and Death of the Human Being and Person,” [in:] Advances in Bioethics: New Essays on Abortion and Bioethics, R.B. Edwards (ed), JAI Press, Greenwich (CT): 1–74.

Lizza J.P. (2006), Persons, Humanity, and the Definition of Death, Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore (MD).

Lizza J.P. (2018a), “Defining Death: Beyond Biology,” Diametros 55: 1–19.

Lizza J.P. (2018b), “In Defense of Brain Death: Replies to Don Marquis, Michael Nair-Collins, Doyen Nguyen, and Laura Specker Sullivan,” Diametros 55: 68–90.

Moreland J.P., Rae S.B. (2000), Body & Soul: Human Nature & the Crisis in Ethics, InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove (IL).

Moreland J., Mitchell J. (1955), “Is the Human Person a Substance or a Property-Thing?” Ethics & Medicine: A Christian Perspective on Issues in Bioethics 11 (3): 50–55.

Nguyen D. (2018a), “A Holistic Understanding of Death: Ontological and Medical Considerations,” Diametros 55: 44–62.

Nguyen D. (2018b), The New Defi nitions of Death for Organ Donation: A Multidisciplinary Analysis from the Perspective of Christian Ethics, Peter Lang, Bern. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3726/b13472

Shewmon D.A. (2001), “The Brain and Somatic Integration: Insights into the Standard Biological Rationale for Equating ‘Brain Death’ with Death,” Journal of Medicine and Philosophy 26 (5): 457–478. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1076/jmep.26.5.457.3000

Shewmon D.A. (2012), “You Only Die Once: Why Brain Death Is Not the Death of a Human Being; a Reply to Nicholas Tonti-Filippini,” Communio 39: 422–494.

Sider T. (2002), “Book Review: Persons and Bodies: A Constitution View,” The Journal of Philosophy 99 (1): 45–48.

Strawson P.F. (1964a), Individuals, Routledge, London.

Strawson P.F. (1964b), “Persons,” [in:] Essays in Philosophical Psychology, D.F. Gustafson (ed), Anchor Books, Garden City (NY): 377–403. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-86211-5_20

Wiggins D. (2001), Sameness and Substance Renewed, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511612756