PHILOS 2YY3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Conjoined Twins, Rex Murphy, Robert Latimer
22 Jan 2014
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Socrates: we are discussing no small matter, but how we ought to live. Ethics/moral philosophy is the systematic attempt to understand how we ought to. Precise definitions are controversial but there are several competing conceptions. Rachels uses three case studies to arrive at what he thinks is a minimum. Minimum conception: which every moral theory should accept. Anencephalic: born without most of the brain (cerebrum and cerebellum) Most cases are either detected and aborted or stillborn. To save other babies that can be saved. But under florida law, can"t harvest organs until death. Which was too late organs were wasted. Theresa"s organs were doing her no good, but could benefit others. If we can benefit someone without harming someone else, we should do it. Rachels: being alive is only beneficial if you are capable of having a life . It"s wrong to use people as a means to other people"s ends.
