To eat or not to eat: an ethical analysis of cannibalism through a bioethical framework

Cannibalism, or anthropophagy, has been dubbed the “ultimate taboo” within our current society even though there is significant evidence supporting that this act has been an integral part of human culture for over thousands of years. This is in part due to the subliminal teachings in literature that has instilled upon us a gut reaction of disgust and repugnance when thinking about cannibalism as well as the common association between cannibalism and murder. This paper argues that when separated from murder, cannibalism does not hold the same ethical depravity. This thesis will look at cannibalism through the lenses of different bioethical frameworks including utilitarianism, Kantianism, and theological ethics to illustrate that the consumption of human flesh is not inherently unethical.

Grantor dc:publisher

Temple University. Libraries

Year dc:date.issued

2026

Author dc:creator

• Lemisch, Hayley

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Tuohy, Brian

• Ethics
• Urban bioethics

Statement dc:rights

• IN COPYRIGHT- This Rights Statement can be used for an Item that is in copyright. Using this statement implies that the organization making this Item available has determined that the Item is in copyright and either is the rights-holder, has obtained permission from the rights-holder(s) to make their Work(s) available, or makes the Item available under an exception or limitation to copyright (including Fair Use) that entitles it to make the Item available.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Repository record dc:identifier.uri

https://scholarshare.temple.edu/handle/20.500.12613/12153

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarshare.temple.edu:20.500.12613/12153