Abortion Debate Overview

Questions and Answers

What is the argument for the claim that abortion is seriously wrong?

It equates abortion to killing. (correct)

It considers the fetus a human being. (correct)

It allows for exceptions in cases of danger to the mother's life.

It is based on religious beliefs.

What are the three reasons for exceptions to the argument against abortion?

Personal choice of the mother

Abortion during the first 14 days post-conception (correct)

Abortion after rape (correct)

Pregnancy endangers a woman's life and abortion of the fetus is anencephalic (correct)

How is abortion defined?

Action intended to bring about the death of a fetus for the sake of the woman who carries it.

How is a fetus defined?

A developing human being from the time of conception to the time of birth. Signup and view all the answers

The standard anti-abortion argument asserts that the right to live for fetuses overrides women's right to control their own bodies.

True Signup and view all the answers

Thompson's View: What does her analogy teach us regarding a woman's rights and the fetus?

The right to life does not entail the right to use someone else's body. Signup and view all the answers

Which argument do both opponents and pro-abortion advocates consider regarding the fetus's rights?

Opponents use broad criteria while pro-abortion advocates use narrow criteria. Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'Future Like Ours' account suggest about the wrongness of killing?

It suggests that killing is wrong because it deprives someone of a future of value. Signup and view all the answers

The loss of future biological life doesn't explain the misfortune of death; the misfortune lies in the loss of future _____ life.

conscious Signup and view all the answers

According to the 'FLO' theory, what is the basis for the argument against abortion?

It posits that killing fetuses is wrong because they possess a 'Future Like Ours'. Signup and view all the answers

According to the 'FLO' theory, killing is always wrong.

False Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'Analogy with Animals Argument' suggest regarding suffering?

Suffering is a universal misfortune for all beings. Signup and view all the answers

What is the conclusion statement regarding the argument on abortion?

Therefore, the FLO account shows that abortion, except in rare instances, is seriously wrong. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Abortion Debate

Abortion is claimed to be seriously wrong, similar to killing anyone.
Exceptions may include abortion after rape, within 14 days of conception, and cases endangering the woman's life with the fetus being anencephalic.

Definitions

Abortion: Intentional act to cause the death of a fetus carried by a woman (excluding spontaneous abortions).
Fetus: A developing human from conception to birth, including embryos and zygotes.

Key Arguments in Abortion Debate

Standard anti-abortion stance asserts that both fetuses and women have rights, but the right to life of the fetus overrides women's autonomy over their bodies.
The argument challenges personhood theories that do not account for the moral status of young babies and children.
The potential consciousness of a fetus is contrasted with individuals in comas whose existence is valued despite their lack of awareness.

Thompson's Viewpoint

Introduces the Violinist analogy which illustrates that while fetuses may have a right to life, they do not have the right to use a woman's body against her will.
Emphasizes that the life of the fetus is less significant than the woman’s autonomy, leading to a standoff in the debate between losing a fetus or a woman’s body.

Approaches to the Right to Life

Opponents and proponents of abortion differ in their criteria for determining the right to life.
Opponents use broad definitions (e.g., humanity), while proponents favor narrow, plausible criteria (e.g., not a person).

Philosophical Insights on Killing

Misfortune of premature death is based on the deprivation of a future filled with potential experiences and values.
It is not just a loss of existence but deprives individuals of their future good of consciousness and what makes life meaningful.

Future-Like-Ours (FLO) Theory

Killing is wrong because it deprives individuals of their future opportunities, making it a significant moral issue.
FLO theory aligns with common perceptions about the wrongness of killing, not limited to humans but extending to any being with a future like ours.

Arguments Supporting FLO Theory

Considered Judgement Argument: Individuals facing terminal illnesses express that impending loss of future life is a misfortune, validating the FLO theory.
Worst Crimes Argument: The severity of killing is grounded in the loss of future value, differentiating it from other crimes like robbery.
Appeal to Cases Argument: FLO applies to medical ethics, distinguishing between ending lives of those unconscious permanently versus temporarily.

Conclusions on Abortion Ethics

The FLO account presents abortion as seriously wrong except in rare situations, as it deprives fetuses of their potential futures.
The argument addresses the ethics of abortion without relying on religious grounds, making it a philosophical stance.

Description

Explore the complex arguments surrounding the abortion debate, including definitions, key arguments, and various viewpoints. This quiz examines ethical considerations, exceptions in abortion cases, and philosophical analogies such as Thompson's Violinist metaphor.