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.