Brain death in Japan: A critical approach

Abstract

In this paper we shall critically analyse metaphysical and ethical underpinnings of the bifurcated criterion of death that has been deployed in Japan. Of course, there are several possible explanations why to employ a twofold criterion of human demise. Being spatially constrained and particularly keen on the issue of the blurred nature of life and death, we will focus just on one of the background theories justifying this peculiar bifurcation, namely the idea of process-like character of death.