Human Identity and Bioethics

When philosophers address personal identity they usually explore numericalidentity what are the criteria for a persons continuing existence? When nonphilosopher... » 

When philosophers address personal identity they usually explore numericalidentity what are the criteria for a persons continuing existence? When nonphilosophers address personal identity they often have in mind narrativeidentity Which characteristics of a particular person are salient to her selfconception? This book develops accounts of both senses of identity arguingthat both are normatively important and is unique in its exploration of arange of issues in bioethics through the lens of identity. Defending abiological view of our numerical identity and a framework for understandingnarrative identity DeGrazia investigates various issues for whichconsiderations of identity prove critical the definition of death theauthority of advance directives in cases of severe dementia the use ofenhancement technologies prenatal genetic interventions and certain types ofreproductive choices. He demonstrates the power of personal identity theory toilluminate issues in bioethics as they bring philosophical theory to life. «