The Humanity of Unconscious Humans: An Ethical Inquiry

Whether an unconscious human remains human is not a straightforward question. It invites us to delve into the nature of consciousness, ethical considerations, and the qualities that define us as 'humans'.

Defining Humanity

An unconscious human is fundamentally the same species as a conscious one—thus a human remains a human until they have died and decomposed. However, this raises questions about the role of consciousness in defining our basic humanity.

Philosophical Perspectives and the Concept of Zombies

Daniel Dennett and other philosophers argue that consciousness might be an illusion, suggesting that humans are 'philosophical zombies'—entities that outwardly behave like humans but lack inner experience. If consciousness is an illusion, then the term 'human' might encompass beings without awareness.

The Role of Consciousness in Decision-Making

While it is true that physically damaged individuals can regain consciousness, the ethical decision to turn off life support often hinges on the irreversibility of the condition. A life support machine might be turned off when a patient is permanently unconscious and cannot be resuscitated, highlighting the importance of consciousness in the ethical framework.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Under US law, someone who is permanently unconscious and cannot be resuscitated is generally considered non-living. Definitions of 'living' are man-made and often depend on our interpretation of the value of consciousness. Without consciousness, humans may go 'crazy' due to the lack of unconscious processes that maintain our sanity during sleep.

Assessing the Human Condition

This question forces us to explore the character of the human condition, specifically the difference between a person in a state of unconsciousness where consciousness cannot be observed and a person thought to be 'brain dead'. Many definitions of 'humanity' are based on cognitive abilities, which depend on observable behavior.

Behavior and Consciousness in Defining Human Property

Our assessments of intelligence rely on observed behavior, which suggests that we often think of ourselves more as human 'doings' rather than human 'beings'. In a state where a person cannot be said to be doing anything that constitutes our taxonomy, does their 'human' property persist, or do they become a 'body with human potential'?

The Consequence of Consciousness

While the belief that an unconscious human remains human is a manifestation of our own 'humanity active in consciousness', it is a different situation from the immutability of the properties of water. Consciousness appears to be a fluid property that we bestow upon each other, making questions of this kind crucial for our ethical considerations.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the question of whether an unconscious human remains human is neither a simple answer nor a straightforward one. It invites us to reflect on the nature of consciousness, the value of our ethical decisions, and the fluidity of our definitions of 'humanity'. The answer to this question is deeply intertwined with who we are as individual and as a society.