RESPECTING THE DISTINCTNESS OF PERSONS IN LIFE-SAVING CASES: A NOVEL RESPONSE TO THE NUMBER PROBLEM

Abstract

This thesis argues that prominent proposed solutions to the Number Problem are predicated on a conception of fairness lacking a crucial condition for maximal and equal respect: respecting stakeholders’ individual beliefs and desires. In addition to respecting the metaphysical separateness of persons, I argue that fully respecting persons also requires acknowledging their distinctness in this wider, normative sense. Consequently, I offer an original proposal which does respect what I call the “distinctness of persons.”