William R. LaFleur

William LaFleur (1936-2010), an eminent scholar of Japanese studies, left behind a substantial number of influential publications, as well as several unpublished works. The most significant of these examines debates concerning the practice of organ transplantation in Japan and the United States, and is published here for the first time.This provocative book challenges the North American medical and bioethical consensus that considers the transplantation of organs from brain dead donors as an unalloyed good. It joins a growing chorus of voices that question the assumption that brain death can be equated facilely with death. It provides a deep investigation of debates in Japan, introducing numerous Japanese bioethicists whose work has never been treated in English. It also provides a history of similar debates in the United States, problematizing the commonly held view that the American public was quick and eager to accept the redefinition of death.A work of intellectual and social history, this book also directly engages with questions that grow ever more relevant as the technologies we develop to extend life continue to advance. While the benefits of these technologies are obvious, their costs are often more difficult to articulate. Calling attention to the risks associated with our current biotech trajectory, LaFleur stakes out a highly original position that does not fall neatly onto either side of contemporary US ideological divides.

William LaFleur (1936-2010), an eminent scholar of Japanese studies, left behind a substantial number of influential publications, as well as several unpublished works. The most significant of these examines debates concerning the practice of organ transplantation in Japan and the United States, and is published here for the first time.This provocative book challenges the North American medical and bioethical consensus that considers the transplantation of organs from brain dead donors as an unalloyed good. It joins a growing chorus of voices that question the assumption that brain death can be equated facilely with death. It provides a deep investigation of debates in Japan, introducing numerous Japanese bioethicists whose work has never been treated in English. It also provides a history of similar debates in the United States, problematizing the commonly held view that the American public was quick and eager to accept the redefinition of death.A work of intellectual and social history, this book also directly engages with questions that grow ever more relevant as the technologies we develop to extend life continue to advance. While the benefits of these technologies are obvious, their costs are often more difficult to articulate. Calling attention to the risks associated with our current biotech trajectory, LaFleur stakes out a highly original position that does not fall neatly onto either side of contemporary US ideological divides.

Why would a country strongly influenced by Buddhism's reverence for life allow legalized, widely used abortion? Equally puzzling to many Westerners is the Japanese practice of mizuko rites, in which the parents of aborted fetuses pray for the well-being of these rejected "lives." In this provocative investigation, William LaFleur examines abortion as a window on the culture and ethics of Japan. At the same time he contributes to the Western debate on abortion, exploring how the Japanese resolve their conflicting emotions privately and avoid the pro-life/pro-choice politics that sharply divide Americans on the issue.

"A masterly book ...will prove of great assistance to a student of Japanese literature and thought from the eleventh century onwards." (Times Literary Supplement). "A major contribution to the fields of Japanese studies, comparative literature, and history of religions ...a book that begs for classroom use." (The Eastern Buddhist). "Innovative and provocative ...will be of interest not only to specialists in Japanese religion and Japanese culture, but also to literary critics and cultural historians." (Religious Studies Review). "Rich and stimulating material ...an important help and influence to all concerned with understanding the tradition that has shaped Japanese culture and religion." (History of Religions). "Thought provoking, finely written ...one of the more original and creative contributions to the study of medieval culture and religion to be produced by a Western scholar...Can be read with profit by all Western students of Japanese culture ...one of those rare books that has something to offer Japanese specialists in medieval studies." (Journal of Japanese Studies). "A very important contribution to Japanese studies ...a paradigm of the genre." (Pacific Affairs). "This is an exciting, ground-breaking book." (Chanoyu Quarterly). "I have been most impressed and even excited by what I have read." (Donald Keene, Professor Emeritus and Shincho Professor Emeritus of Japanese Literature at Columbia University). "This is one of the most important books in Japanese studies in a long time and will influence the entire field." (Robert Bellah, former Elliott Professor of Sociology, Professor Emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley).