Philosophy

Psychoanalysis

Social psychology

Dissociative identity disorder

Psychiatry

Bodily integrity

Identity (music)

Aesthetics

Psychology

Political science

Rationality

Psychotherapist

Epistemology

Sociology

Autonomy

Distress

Amputation

Journal of Applied Philosophy

Should surgeons be permitted to amputate healthy limbs if patients request such operations? We argue that if such patients are experiencing significant distress as a consequence of the rare psychological disorder named Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID), such operations might be permissible. We examine rival accounts of the origins of the desire for healthy limb amputations and argue that none are as plausible as the BIID hypothesis. We then turn to the moral arguments against such operations, and argue that on the evidence available, none is compelling. BIID sufferers meet reasonable standards for rationality and autonomy: so as long as no other effective treatment for their disorder is available, surgeons ought to be allowed to accede to their requests.

Amputees By Choice: Body Integrity Identity Disorder and the Ethics of Amputation