Assembled bodies : the challenge of organ transplantation technology to the idea of person

The article aims to reconstruct the historical development of the philosophical problems raised by organ transplants and, in particular, those concerning the identity of the human person. After discussing the concept of ‘person’ from a common-sense perspective and a philosophical point of view, the article presents the most sensational cases of transplantation of visible parts of the body, in particular of hands and faces. The author compares the content of scientific literature to the message conveyed by the popular press and focuses on the ethical and legal problems raised by surgical interventions. Finally, the author scrutinizes four ontological metaphysical doctrines in the light of the transplant technique. It is shown that, unlike some thinkers claim, there is no direct relationship - neither on a practical level nor on a theoretical level - between ontological orientations and bioethical ideas.