An awesome, awesome conference entitled "Cognitive Disability: A Challenge to Moral Philosophy," is being held Sept. 18-20, 2008, at Stony Brook - Manhattan. Here is the discussion:
The realities of cognitive disability pose a significant challenge to certain key conceptions philosophers have held. Philosophers have conceived of the mark of humanity as the possession of rational cognitive capacities. They have traditionally extended the mantles of equality, dignity, justice, responsibility, and moral fellowship to those with these abilities, whom they speak of as "persons." What then should we say about those with severe cognitive disabilities? How should we treat these individuals and what sorts of entitlements can they claim? Should we grant the arguments of some philosophers who want to parse our moral universe in ways that depend on degrees of cognitive capacity, not on being human? How do claims for the moral consideration of animals bear on the question? Is it morally acceptable to consign some human beings to the status of "non-persons"? Philosophers have rarely faced these questions squarely and systematically.
This are crucial questions at the heart of disability studies, ethics, and public health policy. They are also, IMO, quite central to the medical humanities. The lineup of speakers and panelists at the conference is extremely impressive. Keynote speakers include Michael Berube, Leslie Francis, Ian Hacking, Martha Nussbaum, Peter Singer, Jeffrey McMahan, Anita Silvers, Dan Wikler, and Jonathan Wolff.
There are too many panelists to list, but they include Bruce Jennings, Eva Kittay, Hilde Lindemann, and James Nelson.
These scholars are producing some of the most important -- and often times controversial -- writings at the intersection of disability, ethics, and health. Further details are available at the conference website.
(h/t H-NET-DISABILITY listserv)
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