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

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”.