Abstract

In this chapter introduces well-being as a central concept to understanding Body Integrity Dysphoria (BID). By drawing on three of the most prominent theories of well-being—Hedonism, Desire-Fulfilment and Objective-list theories—the chapter aims to address what are the conditions which would grant BID on-demand amputation the status of morally viable action. The chapter challenges the assumption that the desire to amputate necessarily negates the moral responsibility of the individual. Instead, it argues that such a decision, under the right conditions, can be to every extent rational, so much so to be praised as the best viable option for those affected by BID. Amputation, in fact, might be seen as a means for individuals with BID to pursue a hypothetical state of well-being, one that requires them to overcome their natural self-preservation instinct. Nevertheless, again, the chapter does not advocate for amputation, but it highlights how the reasoning used to reject the amputation request can be similarly used to defend its legitimacy.