PHL240H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Reductionism, Fetus
Document Summary
Reductionist theories: brain body theories, animal theories, psychological continuity theories. If we are a complex mix of psychological states, and we remain a person as long as there is continuity (psychological continuity theorists), psychological perspective becomes problematic in a lot of situation: vegetative state, alzheimer"s. Animal theorists: rationalize our continued devotion to people even in these states. Beginning of life issues: humans were once an embryo or a cluster of cells. Is it sufficient for an entity to enjoy high grade moral status for it to be a human person? (human animals: an early fetus would therefore enjoy that same moral status, moral status vs animal theories. This is a pivotal question of which it will follow more closely.
