Philosophical and Ethical Problems in Mental Handicap

This book examines a range of important conceptual, ethical, social and religious issues arising from mental handicap. It contains a vigorous defence of the contention that mentally handicapped human beings are persons. It attacks both the contemporary philosophical attempts to dismiss the personhood of mentally handicapped people and the genocidal policies which those attempts suggest. It explores the logic of the attitudes which have lead to the marginalisation and oppression of the mentally handicapped.

Autorentext

PETER BYRNE is a Lecturer teaching ethics and philosophy at King's College London. He is the author of a number of monographs in the philosophy of religion and in ethics. He has edited a series of books in medical ethics and been actively involved in debates in medical ethics in the United Kingdom. He is the editor of Religious Studies, one of the leading international journals in the philosophy of religion.

Inhalt
Preface The Philosophical Problem Defining Mental Handicap The Moral Status of the Cognitive Disabled Euthanasia, Abortion and Genocide Cognitive Disability and Oppression Theological and Religious Issues Notes Bibliography Index