Disability Studies Conference, Lancaster 26-28 July 2004

Normative ethics and non-normative embodiment

Jackie Leach ScullyUnit for Ethics in the Biosciences, University of Basel, Switzerland, and Policy, Ethics and Life Sciences Research Institute, University of Newcastle, United Kingdom

Jackie Leach Scully

Why is embodiment ethically important?

Moral codes regulate interactions between embodied persons

Moral concern arises from sense of vulnerabilities resulting from embodiment

Traditional ethics ignores embodiment as source of moral insight

Feminist ethics gendered embodiment

Jackie Leach Scully

Non-normative embodiment

Little account of ethically relevant aspects of bodily variation, esp impairment = non-normative embodiment, even though

- Beliefs about normative embodiment determine (medical and other) interventions thought appropriate

-Beliefs about normative embodiment determinemoral significance of anomalous bodies

Jackie Leach Scully

Theories of embodiment

Biological Social Symbolic (language) Narrative/life course Phenomenological Psychoanalytic

Jackie Leach Scully

Theories of embodimentBiomedical molecular genetics derive embodiment from biological material deviations from biomedical standard as

pathology

Social constructionist social, historical, political aspects of embodiment loss of anatomical/physiological limits

Both Lack adequate description of body’s ethical

significance Lack conceptual resources for engaging with

non-normative embodiment

Jackie Leach Scully

Does having/being a non-normative embodiment modify ethical evaluations of individuals or groups?

Embodiment affects

Kinds of experience (some unique to particular embodiment)

Meaning of common/universal experience

Jackie Leach Scully

Non-normative embodiment affects moral evaluation…

Through political/ideological awareness

Standpoint epistemology

Eg in disability, consciousness of social exclusion

Ethical prioritising of inclusiveness

Jackie Leach Scully

Non-normative embodiment affects moral evaluation…

Through local and interpersonal contexts

Theoretical approach through habitus

System of perceptions/ understandings/ assumptions/classifications/ judgements etc

Often not accessible to rationality

How does prevailing habitus inform moral sense about non-normative embodiment?

Eg Deaf culture + preference for hearing impaired/hearing baby

Jackie Leach Scully

Non-normative embodiment affects moral evaluation…

Through relationship between body and thought

Hexis = embodiment of system of predispositions

Pre-reflective knowledge – bodily practices structure possibilities of thinking

Cognitive science -- perceptual and motor knowledge affect mental concepts and forms of reasoning, eg metaphors

Jackie Leach Scully

Ethical importance of non-normative understandings: ethical concepts

Feminist theorists argue that experience of gendered difference distinctive interpretation of concepts eg intimacy, detachment, connection

Affect key concepts in ethical theory, esp traditional theories of justice, eg autonomy, independence

Jackie Leach Scully

Ethical importance of non-normative understandings: just representation

If differential embodiment modifies moral perception, particularities of body/experience affect claim that some person can represent others in negotiations about justice

Details of embodied subjectivity, as perceived by those directly concerned, essential to improve fairness of political and policy decisions

Jackie Leach Scully

Ethical importance of non-normative understandings: recognition of marginality

Recognition of marginalised aspects of identity as worthy of consideration, not subjugated or disruptive

Strong ethical imperative for collection of empirical data on phenomenology of disabled experience and effect on aspects of moral understanding.