Circumcision, Abortion, Compulsory Vaccination: Philosophy of Bodily Integrity

Overview

Do we have the right to cut or modify a child’s genitals for religious or cultural reasons (for example, through penile circumcision or ‘ritual nicking’ of the vulva)? Should teenagers be allowed to alter their bodies through tattoos, piercing or cosmetic surgeries? When, if ever, are doctors justified in medically treating or vaccinating people against their will, or, if children, the will of their parents? Can governments legitimately limit the right to abortion?

This two-day event will explore these and other philosophical puzzles about our bodies and our rights over them, many with a medical dimension.

The speakers are two leading researchers in the field, having lectured internationally and published peer-reviewed articles on these and related topics in top bioethics journals.

Please note: this event will close to enrolments at 23:59 UTC on 6 November 2024.

Programme details

Saturday 9 November 2024

10.15am
Registration at Rewley House reception

10.30am
Female, male, intersex, trans: current debates on genital modification
Brian Earp

11.45am
Tea/coffee break

12.15pm
What makes bodily integrity (especially) worth having?
Lisa Forsberg

1.30pm
Lunch break

2.30pm
The child’s right to bodily integrity: what is it and when is it violated?
Brian Earp 

3.45pm
Tea/coffee break

4.15pm
Discussion

5.30pm
End of day

7pm
Dinner (optional)

Sunday 10 November 2024

8am
Breakfast (residents only)

10am
Is consent to non-touching interventions less important than consent to bodily interventions?
Lisa Forsberg

11.15am
Tea/coffee break

11.45am
Brian Earp and Lisa Forsberg in conversation with Stephen Law

1pm
Lunch and end of weekend

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee (includes tea/coffee) £185.00
Saturday Baguette Lunch £7.30
Saturday Dinner £28.50
Saturday Hot Lunch £19.25
Single B&B (Saturday night) £113.00
Single room only (Saturday night) £98.00
Sunday Baguette Lunch £7.30
Sunday Hot Lunch £19.25

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit or are a full-time student in the UK you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees.

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutors

Dr Brian Earp

Speaker

Brian Earp is author of the forthcoming book Their Body, Their Choice (under contract with Chicago University Press), which explores questions of bodily integrity in detail.

Dr Lisa Forsberg

Speaker

Lisa Forsberg has written on consent, our rights against bodily and mental interference, and on non-consensual medical interventions, and is co-editor (with Isra Black, Anthony Skelton, and Jonathan Herring) of the forthcoming anthology Consenting Children: Autonomy, Responsibility, Wellbeing (Proceedings of the British Academy, Oxford University Press). 

Dr Stephen Law

Director of Studies and Chair

Stephen Law is a Departmental Lecturer in Philosophy and Director of the Certificate of Higher Education at OUDCE. His research focuses on the philosophy of mind, language, metaphysics and on philosophy of religion. He also writes many accessible online articles and edits the Royal Institute of Philosophy journal THINK: Philosophy for Everyone.

Application

Please use the 'Book' button on this page. Alternatively, please contact us to obtain an application form.

Accommodation

Accommodation is not included in the price, but if you wish to stay with us the night before the course, then please contact our Residential Centre.

Accommodation in Rewley House - all bedrooms are modern, comfortably furnished and each room has tea and coffee making facilities, Freeview television, and Free WiFi and private bath or shower rooms. Please contact our Residential Centre on +44 (0) 1865 270362 or email res-ctr@conted.ox.ac.uk for details of availability and discounted prices. For more information, please see our website: https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/about/accommodation