Overview

The natural limits of the human body make us vulnerable and therefore dependent, throughout our lives, on others. Yet American law and policy disregard these stubborn facts, with statutes and judicial decisions that presume people to be autonomous, defined by their capacity to choose. As legal scholar O. Carter Snead points out, this individualistic ideology captures important truths about human freedom, but it also means that we have no obligations to each other unless we actively, voluntarily embrace them. What It Means to Be Human makes the case for a new paradigm, one that better represents the gifts and challenges of being human. Inspired by the insights of Alasdair MacIntyre and Charles Taylor, Snead proposes a vision of human identity and flourishing that supports those who are profoundly vulnerable and dependent--children, the disabled, and the elderly. To show how such a vision would affect law and policy, he addresses three complex issues in bioethics: abortion, assisted reproductive technology, and end-of-life decisions. He concludes that, if the law is built on premises that reflect the fully lived reality of life, it will provide support for the vulnerable, including the unborn, mothers, families, and those nearing the end of their lives.

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O. Carter Snead is William P. and Hazel B. White Director of the de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture, professor of law, and concurrent professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame. He is a member of the Pontifical Academy for Life, the principal bioethics advisory body to Pope Francis, and a Fellow of the Hastings Center. Asa Siegel is a classically trained actor with extensive professional stage experience. He is also a highly skilled voice actor across the spectrum, with work including audiobooks, narration, video games, animated television series, promos and trailers, and national television and radio commercials. Asa loves what he does and takes great pride in his work. He brings passion, empathy, and rich life experience to all projects he is a part of to deliver authentic and engaging vocal content.

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