Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

An Eliminativist Approach to Vulnerability

Wrigley

Authors



Abstract

The concept of vulnerability has been subject to numerous different interpretations but accounts are still beset with significant problems as to their adequacy, such as their contentious application or the lack of genuine explanatory role for the concept. The constant failure to provide a compelling conceptual analysis and satisfactory definition leaves the concept open to an eliminativist move whereby we can question whether we need the concept at all. I highlight problems with various kinds of approach and explain why a satisfactory account of vulnerability is unlikely ever to be offered if we wish the concept to play a genuinely explanatory role in bioethical contexts. I outline why an eliminativist position should be taken with regard to this concept in light of these concerns but mitigate some of the severity of this position by arguing that we can still make sense of retaining our widespread use of the term by viewing it as nothing more than a useful pragmatic linguistic device that acts as a marker to draw attention to certain kinds of issue. These issues will be entirely governed by other, better understood ethical concepts and theories.

Acceptance Date Nov 25, 2014
Publication Date Nov 25, 2014
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Bioethics
Print ISSN 0269-9702
Publisher Wiley
Pages 478-487
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/bioe.12144
Keywords vulnerability, conceptual analysis, harm, eliminativism
Publisher URL https://doi.org/10.1111/bioe.12144

Files




You might also like



Downloadable Citations