The Ethics of Autism: Among Them, but Not of Them

Autism is one of the most compelling, controversial, and heartbreaking
cognitive disorders. It presents unique philosophical challenges as well, raising
intriguing questions in philosophy of mind, cognitive science, and philosophy of
language that need to be explored if the autistic population is to be responsibly
served. Starting from the "theory of mind" thesis that a fundamental deficit in
autism is the inability to recognize that other persons have minds, Deborah R.
Barnbaum considers its implications for the nature of consciousness, our
understanding of the consciousness of others, meaning theories in philosophy of
language, and the modality of mind. This discussion lays the groundwork for
consideration of the value of an autistic life, as well as the moral theories
available to persons with autism. The book also explores questions about genetic
decision making, research into the nature of autism, and the controversial quest for
a cure. This is a timely and wide-ranging book on a disorder that commends itself to
serious ethical examination.