Deconstructing the Brain Disconnection-Brain Death Analogy and Clarifying the Rationale for the Neurological Criterion of Death.
This article explains the problems with Alan Shewmon's critique of brain death as a valid sign of human death, beginning with a critical examination of his analogy between brain death and severe spinal cord injury. The article then goes on to assess his broader argument against the necessity of the brain for adult human organismal integration, arguing that he fails to translate correctly from biological to metaphysical claims. Finally, on the basis of a deeper metaphysical analysis, I offer a revised rationale for the validity of the neurological criterion of human death.
The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA moschella@cua.edu.
Melissa
M
Moschella
D001293:Attitude to Death; D026688:Bioethical Issues; D001926:Brain Death; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006801:Humans; D012945:Social Values
Alan Shewmon; brain death; determination of death; neurological criterion of death