Autism is one of the most compelling, controversial, and heartbreaking cognitive disorders. It presents unique philosophical challenges as well, raising intriguing questions in philosophy of mind, cognitive science, and philosophy of language that need to be explored if the autistic population is to be responsibly served. Starting from the "theory of mind" thesis that a fundamental deficit in autism is the inability to recognize that other persons have minds, Deborah R. Barnbaum considers its implications for the nature of consciousness, our understanding of the consciousness of others, meaning theories in philosophy of language, and the modality of mind. This discussion lays the groundwork for consideration of the value of an autistic life, as well as the moral theories available to persons with autism. The book also explores questions about genetic decision making, research into the nature of autism, and the controversial quest for a cure. This is a timely and wide-ranging book on a disorder that commends itself to serious ethical examination.
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"I know of no other work that tries to draw on the extensive and emerging psychological literature on autism to examine this disorder for its philosophical and ethical implications.... Its conclusions challenge many leading theories of ethics' claims regarding necessary and sufficient cognitive capabilities for moral reasoning. In practical terms, it challenges assumptions about the appropriateness of some parental decision making and research in relation to autism." —Ronald M. Green, author of Babies by Design: The Ethics of Genetic Choice
(Ronald M. Green, author of Babies by Design: The Ethics of Genetic Choice 2009)"This book will be of great interest to philosophers and students of philosophy on the issues of autism and what it means to be a person." —Temple Grandin, author of Thinking in Pictures
(Temple Grandin, author of Thinking in Pictures 2009)"How many of us, when first thinking about the problems raised by autism, would have imagined that one of the most cogent ethical problems is whether one ought to cure the disorder if a cure were to become available? Why this is a true ethical problem is only one of many insights to be gained from Deborah R. Barnbaum's meticulous analysis. Along the way, we confront perhaps the greatest challenge—what would it actually be like for us to get inside the heads of persons with autism, and experience life as they do?" —Howard Brody, MD, PhD, Director, Institute for the Medical Humanities, University of Texas Medical Branch, and author of The Future of Bioethics
(Howard Brody, MD, PhD, Director, Institute for the Medical Humanities, University of Texas Medical Branch, and author of The Future of Bioethics )"[The Ethics of Autism] provides a serious examination of the moral and ethical issues surrounding autism and Asperger's syndrome. Although there are many books about autism, in the 66 years since the condition was first described none has tackled the ehtics of autism head on in the way that Barnbaum does. This book kick-starts the ethical debate that I think we need." —The Lancet, Vol. 373, May 9, 2009
(The Lancet )"... an important, albeit atypical, contribution to disability and ethics.... the work should be commended for its innovative approach." —Choice, June 2009
(Choice )From the Publisher
"This book will be of great interest to philosophers and students of philosophy on the issues of autism and what it means to be a person." --Temple Grandin, author of Thinking in Pictures --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Accessible Philosophical Study,
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This review is from: The Ethics of Autism: Among Them, but Not of Them (Bioethics and the Humanities) (Paperback)
Professor Barnbaum's book is a philosophical look at autism. If you (1) have an interest in autism but little or no background in philosophy or (2) have an interest in philosophy but little or no experience with autistic persons, then you will be pleasantly surprised by how the author makes you feel at home in a foreign land.
3 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Autism obscured,
This review is from: The Ethics of Autism: Among Them, but Not of Them (Bioethics and the Humanities) (Paperback)
Recently a young relative of mine was diagnosed with autism. I am a medical scientst who has a reasonable grasp of what little is known about autism but thought that I might gain further insight. I was greatly disappointed. While the book may appeal to philosophers, psychologists, and other deep thinkers of that type, it offers little to those family members attempting to understand this disorder and to find appropriate treatment.
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autistic life, autistic agents, autistic language users, person lacking theory, other persons qua persons, weak executive function, identifying empathy, autistic speakers, compromised theory, coherence thesis, expressivist argument, persons with autism, mind deficits, own intentional states, intentional ascriptions, evidence from autism, autistic community, disability argument, using genetic technologies, mind thesis, weak central coherence, autistic person, life with autism, reactive attitudes, person with autism Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
The Ethics of Autism, Philosophical Introduction, United States, John Lawson, Life Behind Glass, Objective List Theory Browse Sample Pages:
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