In the present article we define death as "the loss of the duality", for a human being is
composed of two heterogeneous elements: the mental one and the bodily one, which are
equally important according to life and death. Death, indeed, occurs when the two
elements are separated. We investigate bioethical and philosophical scenarios ("brain death
survivors" documented by D.A. Shewmon, and the thought experiment called "brain in a
vat"). Our approach outlines the role played by the body regarding life of human being: the
Cartesian perspective is indeed no longer valid.
