Deaf by design: disability and impartiality

Shaw, D. (2008) Deaf by design: disability and impartiality. Bioethics, 22(8), pp. 407-413. (doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8519.2008.00658.x)

Abstract

In 'Benefit, Disability and the Non-Identity Problem', Hallvard Lillehammer uses the case of a couple who chose to have deaf children to argue against the view that impartial perspectives can provide an exhaustive account of the rightness and wrongness of particular reproductive choices. His conclusion is that the traditional approach to the non-identity problem leads to erroneous conclusions about the morality of creating disabled children. This paper will show that Lillehammer underestimates the power of impartial perspectives and exaggerates the ethical force of partial perspectives, which in turn commits him to providing weak justifications for the choice made by the couple in his example case.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The definitive version is available at www.blackwell-synergy.com
• Keywords: Designer babies, deafness, impartiality, non-identity problem, procreative liberty, disability
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Shaw, Dr David
• Authors: Shaw, D.
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General); Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Dental School
• Journal Name: Bioethics
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
• ISSN: 0269-9702
• ISSN (Online): 1467-8519
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2008 The Author
• First Published: First published in Bioethics 22(8):407-413
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

Related URLs

• PubMed