David S. Oderberg
Encyclopedia
Professor David S. Oderberg (born 1963) is an Australian philosopher and ethicist
based in Britain since 1987. He is Professor of Philosophy
at the University of Reading
. He describes himself as a non-consequentialist or a traditionalist in his works. Broadly speaking, Oderberg places himself in opposition to Peter Singer
and other utilitarian or consequentialist thinkers. He has published over thirty academic papers and has authored four books, Real Essentialism, Applied Ethics, Moral Theory and The Metaphysics of Identity over Time. Professor Oderberg is an alumnus of the Universities of Melbourne
, where he completed his first degrees and Oxford where he gained his D.Phil.
, euthanasia
, animal rights
, capital punishment
and the Just War
. In Oderberg's opinion, abortion is morally wrong because the fetus
is an innocent life, and taking an innocent life is morally wrong. This is in contrast to Peter Singer
's view that, as a fetus essentially does not merit being called a person, the termination of a pregnancy
cannot be compared to the killing of an innocent human being. More controversially, Oderberg compares backstreet abortion to contract killing
, arguing that the state has no more right to legalize and regulate abortion on the ground that this would take it out of the 'back street' than it does to legalize and regulate contract killing on the same ground. On the subject of euthanasia, he argues that the practise is immoral, because, like abortion, it involves the intentional killing of an innocent human being. Voluntary euthanasia is no more justifiable that involuntary, since a person has no absolute right to do whatever they want with their body. Furthermore, he believes the current scientific definition of brain death
is unsatisfactory both on metaphysical grounds and from an ethical point of view. Oderberg's position on Animal Rights
is essentially that of Aquinas – animals do not have rights because they are not moral agents
. On the death penalty, Oderberg supports the state's right to enforce capital punishment, because justice must be retributive
and death, being the worst punishment, is the suitable punishment for the worst crime – e.g. murder. Oderberg supports just war theory, and believes that civilians who do not contribute to the war effort should not be targeted. In virtue of this, he regards the use of atomic warfare in World War II
to have been a seriously immoral act.
Ethicist
An ethicist is one whose judgment on ethics and ethical codes has come to be trusted by a specific community, and is expressed in some way that makes it possible for others to mimic or approximate that judgement...
based in Britain since 1987. He is Professor of Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
at the University of Reading
University of Reading
The University of Reading is a university in the English town of Reading, Berkshire. The University was established in 1892 as University College, Reading and received its Royal Charter in 1926. It is based on several campuses in, and around, the town of Reading.The University has a long tradition...
. He describes himself as a non-consequentialist or a traditionalist in his works. Broadly speaking, Oderberg places himself in opposition to Peter Singer
Peter Singer
Peter Albert David Singer is an Australian philosopher who is the Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University and Laureate Professor at the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics at the University of Melbourne...
and other utilitarian or consequentialist thinkers. He has published over thirty academic papers and has authored four books, Real Essentialism, Applied Ethics, Moral Theory and The Metaphysics of Identity over Time. Professor Oderberg is an alumnus of the Universities of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
, where he completed his first degrees and Oxford where he gained his D.Phil.
Applied Ethics
Applied Ethics, which was first published in 2000, has become one of the most important of Oderberg's works. Oderberg applies his traditionalist viewpoint to some controversial ethical issues: abortionAbortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
, euthanasia
Euthanasia
Euthanasia refers to the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering....
, animal rights
Animal rights
Animal rights, also known as animal liberation, is the idea that the most basic interests of non-human animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings...
, capital punishment
Capital punishment
Capital punishment, the death penalty, or execution is the sentence of death upon a person by the state as a punishment for an offence. Crimes that can result in a death penalty are known as capital crimes or capital offences. The term capital originates from the Latin capitalis, literally...
and the Just War
Just War
Just war theory is a doctrine of military ethics of Roman philosophical and Catholic origin, studied by moral theologians, ethicists and international policy makers, which holds that a conflict ought to meet philosophical, religious or political criteria.-Origins:The concept of justification for...
. In Oderberg's opinion, abortion is morally wrong because the fetus
Fetus
A fetus is a developing mammal or other viviparous vertebrate after the embryonic stage and before birth.In humans, the fetal stage of prenatal development starts at the beginning of the 11th week in gestational age, which is the 9th week after fertilization.-Etymology and spelling variations:The...
is an innocent life, and taking an innocent life is morally wrong. This is in contrast to Peter Singer
Peter Singer
Peter Albert David Singer is an Australian philosopher who is the Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University and Laureate Professor at the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics at the University of Melbourne...
's view that, as a fetus essentially does not merit being called a person, the termination of a pregnancy
Pregnancy
Pregnancy refers to the fertilization and development of one or more offspring, known as a fetus or embryo, in a woman's uterus. In a pregnancy, there can be multiple gestations, as in the case of twins or triplets...
cannot be compared to the killing of an innocent human being. More controversially, Oderberg compares backstreet abortion to contract killing
Contract killing
Contract killing is a form of murder, in which one party hires another party to kill a target individual or group of people. It involves an illegal agreement between two parties in which one party agrees to kill the target in exchange for consideration, monetary, or otherwise. The hiring party may...
, arguing that the state has no more right to legalize and regulate abortion on the ground that this would take it out of the 'back street' than it does to legalize and regulate contract killing on the same ground. On the subject of euthanasia, he argues that the practise is immoral, because, like abortion, it involves the intentional killing of an innocent human being. Voluntary euthanasia is no more justifiable that involuntary, since a person has no absolute right to do whatever they want with their body. Furthermore, he believes the current scientific definition of brain death
Brain death
Brain death is the irreversible end of all brain activity due to total necrosis of the cerebral neurons following loss of brain oxygenation. It should not be confused with a persistent vegetative state...
is unsatisfactory both on metaphysical grounds and from an ethical point of view. Oderberg's position on Animal Rights
Animal rights
Animal rights, also known as animal liberation, is the idea that the most basic interests of non-human animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings...
is essentially that of Aquinas – animals do not have rights because they are not moral agents
Moral agency
Moral agency is a person's ability to make moral judgments and take action that comport with morality.A Moral agent is "a being who is capable of acting with reference to right and wrong"-Development and analysis:...
. On the death penalty, Oderberg supports the state's right to enforce capital punishment, because justice must be retributive
Retribution
Retribution may refer to:* Retributive justice* Retribution Engine, a video game engine* Retribution , a novel by Jilliane Hoffman* Retribution , a poem by Longfellow...
and death, being the worst punishment, is the suitable punishment for the worst crime – e.g. murder. Oderberg supports just war theory, and believes that civilians who do not contribute to the war effort should not be targeted. In virtue of this, he regards the use of atomic warfare in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
to have been a seriously immoral act.