Overview

This book brings together the debate concerning personal identity (in metaphysics) and central topics in biomedical ethics (conception of birth and death; autonomy, living wills and paternalism).

Metaphysical Account

Based on a metaphysical account of personal identity in the sense of persistence and conditions for human beings, conceptions for beginning of life, and death are developed.

Biographical and Normative Perspectives

Based on a biographical account of personality, normative questions concerning autonomy, euthanasia, living wills and medical paternalism are dealt with.

Conclusion

By these means the book shows that personal identity has different meanings which have to be distinguished so that human persistence and personality can be used to deal with central questions in biomedical ethics.