“Brain Death”: A Utilitarian Construct, Not Biological Death-The Reasons the Concept of “Brain Death” Should Be Abandoned

Authors

  • Konstantinos G. Karakatsanis Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20849/ijsn.v4i1.544

Keywords:

brain death, brainstem death, consciousness, spinal automatisms, transplantation

Abstract

Purpose: To show that the concept of “brain death” is a purely utilitarian construct which does not have adequate medical foundation. Methods: Presentation of known and novel arguments from the medical literature and unknown arguments from the philosophical literature. Results: There are multiple self-evident inconsistencies, contradictions and logical errors inherent in the concept of “brain death” according to which this concept is obviously invalid. Conclusion: It is considered unavoidable that the only honest option is the definitive abandonment of the concept of “brain death”.

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Published

2019-02-18

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

“Brain Death”: A Utilitarian Construct, Not Biological Death-The Reasons the Concept of “Brain Death” Should Be Abandoned. (2019). International Journal of Studies in Nursing, 4(1), p30. https://doi.org/10.20849/ijsn.v4i1.544