Definition of the problem: To a considerable extent the current debate on brain death is dominated by historical arguments. The first crucial question is whether the introduction of the brain death criterion constituted a break with the past or not. The second subject at issue is whether brain death was introduced for the purpose of organ procurement or not.Arguments: However, these historical issues are not being approached with adequate historical tools.Conclusion: The case of the debate on brain death demonstrates the (...) ubiquity of historical arguments in the discussion on ethical problems and the significance of a quality standard concerning such statements about the past. (shrink)