(FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC) In this presentation, Professor Morioka will introduce the concept of “persona” that he has come to understand through the process of examining ethical issues in brain death and organ transplants in Japan. A persona is something that sometimes appears to exist on the body of a brain-dead patient, and people who have had a close relationship with the patient can perceive its existence. Interestingly, we can find a similar concept in Tetsuro Watsuji’s essay “Mask and Persona” published in 1935. Utilizing the perspectives of Watsuji’s philosophy, Professor Morioka aims to pursue an analytical discussion on current topics in bioethics.

About the Speaker:
Masahiro Morioka is a Professor of Philosophy and Ethics at Osaka Prefecture University in Japan, and is also the Editor-in-Chief of the "Journal of Philosophy of Life." He specializes in life philosophy, life studies, bioethics, gender studies, and criticism of contemporary civilization. His books include "Brain Dead Person" (1989 in Japanese) and "Painless Civilization" (2003 in Japanese).