Concepts of “person” and “liberty,” and their implications to our fading notions of autonomy

Takala, Tuija

doi:10.1136/jme.2006.016816

Cited by 18 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…In discussions about the acceptability of prenatal testing the ethical argument about the acceptability of intervening in nature is frequently brought up 16 17. For some, testing is a way of putting autonomy above nature by deciding on the desirable characteristics of the fetus 3.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Women's views on the moral status of nature in the context of prenatal screening decisions

2011

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Appeals to the moral authority of nature play an important role in ethical discussions about the acceptability of prenatal testing. While opponents consider testing a dangerous violation of the moral inviolable course of nature, defenders see testing as a new step in improving dominion over nature. In this study we explored the meaning of appeals to nature among pregnant women to whom a prenatal screening test was offered and the impact of these appeals on their choices regarding the acceptance of screening. Contrary to theoretical debates we found that appeals to the moral authority of nature do not prevent women from welcoming the possibilities of controlling the outcomes of pregnancy, neither do they provide prima facie justification for (not) intervening in the natural course of events. Both acceptors and decliners believed in an inherent morality in nature that must be respected. They welcome the possibility of knowing more about the health of the fetus and to make their own reproductive decisions. Concerns for the quality of their child's life and for their capacity to assure a good life for their family and disabled child appear to play a central role in the decision regarding the use of screening. Appeals to nature can be interpreted as an attempt to justify beliefs regarding suffering that must be avoided and the impact that family interests may have on the decision. These findings have significant implications for ethical guidance in debates about the acceptability and boundaries of control of offspring characteristics by prenatal testing.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Women's views on the moral status of nature in the context of prenatal screening decisions

2011

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“…While the concept of negative liberty places the focus on the absence of obstacles for a person to grow, the concept of positive liberty concentrates on the presence of internal processes of "organizing" one's own values, and goals (cf. Takala 2007). The notion of negative liberty implies that one is free from any interference by others (Berlin 1969, p. 371).…”

Section: Conceptual Framework: Two Concepts Of Libertymentioning

confidence: 99%

Autism, autonomy, and authenticity

Späth

Jongsma

2019

Med Health Care and Philos

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Autonomy of people on the autism-spectrum has only been very rarely conceptually explored. Autism spectrum is commonly considered a hetereogenous disorder, and typically described as a behaviorally-defined neurodevelopmental disorder associated with the presence of social-communication deficits and restricted and repetitive behaviors. Autism research mainly focuses on the behavior of autistic people and ways to teach them skills that are in line with social norms. Interventions such as therapies are being justified with the assumption that autists lack the capacity to be self-reflective and to be "author of their lives". We question this assumption, as some empirical research shows that autists are aware of their strengths and are critical about social norms, we take this as a starting point to reconsider the beliefs about autistic people's capacities. As a theoretical framework, we draw on Berlin's idea of positive and negative liberty as he clearly distinguishes between one's own developed preferences and the simple absence of interference. By drawing on the concept of positive liberty, we illustrate that a lot of autists are aware of their own needs, and usually do not deny their own needs, values and interests. This makes them less prone than non-autistic people to adapt their preferences to external influences, which might be seen as sticking to an authentic way of living. Our analysis shows that many autists are hindered to be(come) autonomous due to unjustified interference, unreflected assumptions about their self-determination, or by paternalistic actions. These observations contribute to a better understanding when help and interference are justified and a more differentiated understanding of autonomy of autistic people.Publisher's Note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

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“…In recent decades a field of philosophical study has emerged, referred to as "personhood theory" (Jones 1984;Gillon 1996;Takala 2007). Influenced in good measure by the writings of John Locke, it holds that for an entity to be a person, that entity must variously be conscious, self-aware, take purposive action, have the ability to reason, possess the ability to communicate, and/or meet other criteria, such as having a "longitudinal identity".…”

Section: Personhood Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

What Does it Mean to be Human? Life, Death, Personhood and the Transhumanist Movement

Doyle¹

2018

Anticipation Science

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This dissertation addresses various aspects of the question "What does it mean to be human?", approaching the issue from biological, philosophical and ethical perspectives. The discussion focuses primarily on the philosophical and ethical implications of the transhumanist movement, an intellectual community seeking to favorably transform the human organism via the safe deployment of interventions such as genetic engineering and pharmacologic enhancement. Following a review of bioethical principles, the dissertation begins by examining the notion of "personhood" in philosophical, historical and biological contexts. Next, the possibility that developments in neuropharmacology might ultimately lead to an artificial paradise free of the negative aspects of the human condition (but without the often destructive effects of today's mood altering drugs) is considered. A philosophical difficulty related to the existentialist notion of "authenticity" in such a "mood optimized" synthetic existence is identified. © © U Un ni iv ve er rs si it ty y o of f P Pr re et to or ri ia a iv This discussion is followed by a rather technical exposition on the occasional difficulties of establishing when a person is alive or dead, particularly in the setting of "brain death". A number of philosophical flaws with the notion of brain death as it is used currently are presented. The discussion then considers some of the philosophical issues raised by the possibility of human cryonic suspension. A distinction is made between the information preserved in a person's brain and the substrate used to hold that information. Implications for personhood are also discussed, as well as a number of related ethical issues. Finally, objections raised by "bioconservative" critics of transhumanism are critically examined and found to be for the most part unconvincing, frequently relying on emotion and intuition rather than on evidence, logic and reason.

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Concepts of “person” and “liberty,” and their implications to our fading notions of autonomy

Cited by 18 publications

References 14 publications

Women's views on the moral status of nature in the context of prenatal screening decisions

Women's views on the moral status of nature in the context of prenatal screening decisions

Autism, autonomy, and authenticity

What Does it Mean to be Human? Life, Death, Personhood and the Transhumanist Movement

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