Of souls, selves, and cerebrums: a reply to Himma.
Ken Himma argues that a human being becomes a moral person at the commencement of brain activity. In response to Himma, the author offers (1) brief comments on Himma's project, (2) an alternative account of the human person that maintains that a human being is a human person by nature as long as it exists, and (3) a counterexample to Himma's position that shows it cannot account for the wrongness of the purposeful creation of anencephalic-like children. The author concludes with replies to two challenges to his position.
Beckwith
F J
FJ
J M Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies, Baylor University; Waco, Texas, USA. Francis_Beckwith@baylor.edu
D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000941:ethics; D000757:Anencephaly / Q000503:physiopathology; D033421:Beginning of Human Life / Q000941:ethics; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D035863:Moral Development; D028723:Personhood; D010686:Philosophy, Medical; D012649:Self Concept; D026712:Value of Life