Chris Meyers 'The Morality Of Abortion'

analytical Essay

986 words

Morality of Abortion Abortion has always been a controversial subject. Pro-life advocates, as well as pro-choice advocates, argue that their respective views about abortion are the correct beliefs. However, after reading The Fetal Position written by Chris Meyers, I have come to the realization that no matter what argument there may be regarding abortion, there is always a counter argument. In this paper I will be discussing the future-like-ours argument. This argument is a more refined form of the potentiality argument. The potentiality argument is the focus on the potential of the fetus. The future-like-ours argument was proposed by a philosopher named Don Marquis. Marquis’ view on abortion is in nearly every textbook regarding the ethics …show more content…

He states that it is our future that has value because we currently want to live out our future (128). For example, I am currently in college and want to graduate with my degree; I want to find a career that I enjoy; I want to get married to a man who I love; and I want to have children. These are all plans that I have for myself and for my future, that I want to see fulfilled. Someone who is pro-choice would argue that I only value my future because these plans are current desires for my conscious future life. If that view is applied to a fetus, then how could a fetus have current wants for its conscious future life when the fetus is not aware of itself or aware that it even has a future? Therefore, if a future is only valued when we have current desires for our future life, then a fetus must have no future, since he or she has no current …show more content…

After reading about the future-like-ours argument, I would say this argument pushed me towards agreeing with pro-life advocates. From reading, I cannot help to think that killing someone, even a fetus, is morally wrong because it would be robbing them of their future. But then again, do we value our future now because we have desires for it currently or do we value our future even when we do not currently have desires for it? The pro-choice advocates argue that in order to value our future; we must have current desires for our conscious future life. Therefore, a fetus cannot value its future life because the fetus is unaware of itself. In addition to not being aware of itself, the fetus does not possess the capability to have current desires for a conscious future life. The pro-life advocates argued that you can still value your future even while unconscious such as sleeping. I knew that I agreed with the pro-life side because of this argument. For example, I know that I still value my future when I am sleeping regardless if I can make plans for my future in that moment of unconsciousness. If you can still value your future while being in an unconscious state such as sleeping than a fetus can still value his or her future as

In this essay, the author

Explains that the future-like-ours argument is a more refined form of the potentiality argument.
Explains that killing a regular person is not just morally wrong because of the pain and grief that is inflicted upon the victim's family and friends.
Analyzes how the pro-choice response to this question is created by philosopher michael tooley. he states that it is our future that has value because we currently want to live it out.

Explains that the future-like-ours argument is a more refined form of the potentiality argument.
Explains that killing a regular person is not just morally wrong because of the pain and grief that is inflicted upon the victim's family and friends.
Analyzes how the pro-choice response to this question is created by philosopher michael tooley. he states that it is our future that has value because we currently want to live it out.
Analyzes how the pro-life response to this argument is that we can value our future even if we do not have current desires for it.
Explains that they agree with pro-life advocates' argument that killing a fetus is morally wrong because it would be robbing them of their future.

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The Ethics of Abortion
analytical essay
...argument for a future like ours makes the assumption that every life will be good and that everyone will want to have a future like ours. The potential life of the fetus could be great or terrible. Just because the life of the fetus could be great does not mean that it has the right to use the mother’s body. The mother still retains the right to an abortion because the fetus depends on her for survival, regardless of its potential.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes judith jarvis thomson's argument that abortion may still be morally justified, arguing that all persons have a right to life and this includes fetuses.
- Explains that kant operates on the principle of universal law, which establishes morality as a categorical imperative.
- Explains that utilitarianism focuses on the outcomes and ends of the action, not the means. abortion would be considered moral only if it provides the greatest good for the largest number of people.
- Analyzes judith jarvis thomson's argument that abortion may still be morally justified, arguing that all persons have a right to life and this includes fetuses.
- Explains that kant operates on the principle of universal law, which establishes morality as a categorical imperative.
- Explains that utilitarianism focuses on the outcomes and ends of the action, not the means. abortion would be considered moral only if it provides the greatest good for the largest number of people.
- Explains that libertarianism states that individuals fully own themselves and that others should not impose on their rights. in applying this to abortion, it supports the mother’s right to have a choice.
- Explains that ethical egoism states that it is morally right for individuals to act in their own self-interest and maximize their utility. in applying this to abortion, the mother acts in her own personal interest and has the right to choose what she thinks is best for her.
- Explains that virtue ethics states that an individual must develop characteristics that help them determine what to do in making moral decisions.
- Analyzes rawls' argument that abortion is morally permissible because public reason cannot balance the political values of respect for human life, political society over time and the equality of women.
- Argues that abortion should remain legal and allow the mother to choose what she wants to do.
- Explains that abortion is a bioethical issue because it relates to the morals of biomedical advances, policies and research.
- Argues that the mother has the right to ownership of her own body, equal treatment, and self-determination, which makes it morally wrong to force women to have a child against her will.
- Argues that the fetus shouldn't be aborted because it has a future like ours. they argue that it deserves the same level of personhood as children and adults.
2300 words
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Argumentative Essay On Abortion
analytical essay
What does it mean to be Pro-Life or Pro-Choice? Pro-Life means those who oppose abortion for any reason, In contrast, Pro-Choice means those who argue everybody has the right to decide if they wish to seek an abortion or not. Glenn I. Cohen, Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, argues that Pro-Life advocates firmly stand on the concept of, “Fetuses are persons and get some of the rights of persons from early on in their development, particularly the right of inviolability” (88). Christian and other religious groups confidently believe an embryo transforms into a human being as soon as conception occurs. What this means is that once the male sperm connects with the female egg, that is when the embryo becomes a living person and any abortion that takes place is killing a human being. In contrast, scientifically the newly founded embryo is not a human at all, but just a bunch of cells dividing. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, Catholic priest and philosopher, a fetus is not a human being because it does not possess language or articulated thought - one of the defining aspects of human nature (qtd. in Eco 51). Theoretically speaking, a fetus is not a human until it can think and talk. With that being clarified, the rest of the essay will first include arguments for and then arguments against
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how an eleven-year-old girl gave birth to a newborn girl on june 5, 2015, after her father sexually assaulted her. abortion has been debated for centuries and will continue to be fought upon.
- Explains the key terminology of abortion used throughout the essay. pro-life advocates firmly stand on the concept of, "fetuses are persons and get some of the rights of persons from early on in their development.
- Explains that abortion differs in race, religion, and age, but there are many repeated reasons why women decide to have an abortion.
- Analyzes how an eleven-year-old girl gave birth to a newborn girl on june 5, 2015, after her father sexually assaulted her. abortion has been debated for centuries and will continue to be fought upon.
- Explains the key terminology of abortion used throughout the essay. pro-life advocates firmly stand on the concept of, "fetuses are persons and get some of the rights of persons from early on in their development.
- Explains that abortion differs in race, religion, and age, but there are many repeated reasons why women decide to have an abortion.
- Compares marshall medoff's argument that abortion is an indirect result of overpriced contraceptives while keeping abortion practically free.
- Argues that abortions should be made available to victims of involuntary sexual intercourse as a method of compensation. roe v. wade upheld abortion on the basis of problematic health concerns.
1629 words
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Exploring the Abortion Issue
analytical essay
When it comes to abortion one can not state that there is simply a conflict between a woman’s right to privacy/autonomy of her body (i.e. the right to choose) and the right to life (particularly the right of the fetus to be born). It is also not adequate to claim that the alternating theories of when life is created is at the core of the conflict over abortion, because the definition of the creation of life does not determine when and why the state will protect the right of the life of the fetus. The overlying issue is a combination of both claims. By carefully analyzing the moral and empirical claims surrounding the abortion issue, we believe that the best position for our candidate is one of pro-choice with some restrictions.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that pro-life groups include the republican party, the catholic church, and operation rescue.
- Explains that abortion is a complex issue where individual circumstances have huge impacts on personal positions. pro-choice beliefs were strongly endorsed by the women's movement.
- Explains that the u.s., canada, greenland, australia, china, mozambique, a few countries in europe and elsewhere have the most overall liberal abortion restrictions.
- Explains that pro-life groups include the republican party, the catholic church, and operation rescue.
- Explains that abortion is a complex issue where individual circumstances have huge impacts on personal positions. pro-choice beliefs were strongly endorsed by the women's movement.
- Explains that the u.s., canada, greenland, australia, china, mozambique, a few countries in europe and elsewhere have the most overall liberal abortion restrictions.
- Explains luker, kristin, "motherhood and morality in america." university of california press, 1984.
- Analyzes scott, jacqueline, and schuman's "attitude strength and social action in the abortion dispute."
- Explains wang, guang-zhen, and reiss' hypotheses on the social and cultural determinants of attitudes towards abortion.
- Argues that the best position for our candidate is one of pro-choice with some restrictions.
- Analyzes how people's decision to support abortion are influenced by the circumstances of the pregnancy, and limited by personal reservations about motivations to end a pregnancy.
- Opines that the majority of americans think that abortion should be a legal option despite the small chance of medical complications in legal abortions.
- Cites cates jr., willard, grimes, and schulz. the public health impact of legal abortion: 30 years later.
- Analyzes how grimes, david a., and gratz, roberta brande. "april 1973: never again," published in the journal of the american medical association.
- States rosenbaum, stuart, "abortion, the constitution, and metaphysics." journal of church and state vol 43, no 4.
- Cites sprang, m. leroy, and mark g. neerhof's "rationale for banning abortions late in pregnancy."
3764 words
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Is Abortion the Best Option?
analytical essay
The next issue to be discussed is experience. Pro-choice would argue that one who has experienced, lived and suffered, one who possess memories, is more human than one who has not. This distinction is not serviceable. An embryo after eight weeks is experiencing, as it is responsive to touch and sensation. Furthermore, if a human has lost his memory due to say aphasia, then is he not human? Based on this issue he would not be. Nor would the man who has never loved or learned, for these are certainly human experiences.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that abortion is an issue that divides the nation like no other. religion, sexes, and even political parties take opposite sides on the issue.
- Explains that the supreme court ruled in favor of jane roe in 1973, which allowed abortions to be legal in all 50 states. before this decision, an abortion was only performed to save a mother’s life.
- Explains that the american people quickly jumped to one side or the other after the 1973 supreme court decision. a pro-choice person believes that it is the woman’s choice whether to have the baby or not.
- Explains that abortion is an issue that divides the nation like no other. religion, sexes, and even political parties take opposite sides on the issue.
- Explains that the supreme court ruled in favor of jane roe in 1973, which allowed abortions to be legal in all 50 states. before this decision, an abortion was only performed to save a mother’s life.
- Explains that the american people quickly jumped to one side or the other after the 1973 supreme court decision. a pro-choice person believes that it is the woman’s choice whether to have the baby or not.
- Introduces john noonan, a roman catholic philosopher who argues abortion is morally wrong. he believes that fetuses are innocent human beings.
- Analyzes how pro-choice argues that a fetus is not viable because it is dependent on the life of the mother.
- Opines that abortions are a valid reason to pro-choice people to obtain an abortion.
- Explains that women have the choice of exterminating the embryo or fetus, including dilation, suction method, hysterectomy, and saline process.
- Explains that the d and x abortion is completed when the cervix is dilated. a clamp then reaches up the birth canal and grasps the leg of the embryo.
- Explains the prostaglandin abortion and the ru-486 abortion. the pill causes the starvation of essential nutrients, hormones, and progesterone to the embryo.
- Explains that abortions occur everyday in every state, even every country. the statistics are jaw-dropping. only 3% have abortion to save one’s life.
- Explains that over 7 million abortions have been executed on teenagers barely legal by governmental standards. kids who can't even buy alcoholic beverages can take away the life of an unborn child.
- Explains how one proves that the embryo is alive and human by a simple biological approach broken down into three answerable questions.
- Explains that the being alive has characteristics of life. it reproduces its own cells and develops them into a specific pattern of maturity and function.
- Explains that the being human is a unique being, distinguishable totally from any other living organism, completely human in all of its characteristics, including 46 chromosomes.
- Explains that nothing new will be added from the time of union of sperm and egg until the death of an old man or woman.
- Analyzes how dr. lily, known as father of fetology, explains the humanistic traits of the fetus.
- Argues that one cannot be human if one is not seen or touched by its moral community (pro-choice). sight is more untrustworthy than feeling.
- Opines that moral judgments should relate to some real difference in probabilities. there are at least 200,000,000 spermatozoa in a single ejaculation.
- Argues that pro-choice would argue that one who has experienced, lived, and suffered, possesses memories, as it is responsive to touch and sensation.
- Concludes with some biblical reasoning, being a strong believer in god. abortion violates the equality of human life.
1818 words
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Let's Get Real On Abortions By Mr. David Frum
analytical essay
"Let 's get real about abortions " is an argumentative article ,in which Mr. david Frum gives his opinion on Richard Mourdock 's comment about rape that sparked a firestorm of discussion. Mr. Frum disagrees with Mourdock, who says that a raped woman should carry the baby , if she gets pregnant : but Frum totally disagrees because he thinks that a raped woman should kill the fetus if she desires , because he thinks that she does have not to carry the rapist own child by saying :"OK, Mr. Mourdock, you say your principles require a raped woman to carry the rapist 's child to term." Frum also believes that even a woman decides to keep the baby after she got raped , the government should give her some financial aid covering all what the baby and herself need while she can 't work , by showing what the raped would need. " What would you do for her in return? Would you pay her medical expenses? Compensate her for a time lost to work? Would you pay for the child 's upbringing? College education?" . David Frum 's main idea does not come until the last part of the article. He developed then jumped to his thesis , and it is : how will Americans support all their
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how david frum disagrees with richard mourdock's comment about rape. he thinks that a raped woman should kill the fetus if she desires.
- Analyzes how frum's evidence can apply for logos and pathos at the same time. he uses all the problems that a raped woman can face if she does not want to give birth.
- Analyzes how mourdock is trying to convince him that he is the target of the article.
- Analyzes how david frum disagrees with richard mourdock's comment about rape. he thinks that a raped woman should kill the fetus if she desires.
- Analyzes how frum's evidence can apply for logos and pathos at the same time. he uses all the problems that a raped woman can face if she does not want to give birth.
- Analyzes how mourdock is trying to convince him that he is the target of the article.
- Analyzes david frum's evidence, using pathos and logos, to show that he is a respected guy.
1333 words
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The Death of the Future Like Ours- Abortion
analytical essay
According to Don Marquis, “Abortion is presumptively very seriously wrong, where the presumption is very strong – as strong as the presumption that killing another adult human being is wrong” (Marquis, p. 371). In his work Why Abortion Is Immoral? , he argues that the main reason why it is morally impermissible to kill an adult human is neither the effect on the killer nor the people left by the victim but because killing him deprives him of his future’s value. All the activities, projects, experiences and enjoyments he could have in the future are taken away from him (Marquis, p. 367). Therefore, killing anyone who has a “futur...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that abortion is one of the most controversial issues since the 16th century. in canada, there are currently no legal restrictions pertaining to abortion since it was decriminalized in january 28, 1988.
- Analyzes don marquis' argument that killing an adult human is morally impermissible because killing him deprives him of his future's value.
- Concludes that killing a fetus, except in rare cases, is presumptively morally wrong.
- Explains that abortion is one of the most controversial issues since the 16th century. in canada, there are currently no legal restrictions pertaining to abortion since it was decriminalized in january 28, 1988.
- Analyzes don marquis' argument that killing an adult human is morally impermissible because killing him deprives him of his future's value.
- Concludes that killing a fetus, except in rare cases, is presumptively morally wrong.
- Analyzes how marquis succeeded in pointing out his argument by comparing arguments of both sides and showing how they cancel out each other's standpoint.
- Analyzes how marquis emphasizes the phrase "except in rare circumstances" which broadens his scope to those objections regarding health issues and cases wherein abortion is the better option.
- Analyzes marquis' argument that abortion is morally impermissible to utilitarians and kantians.
- Argues that abortion should be a mother’s choice because it is her own body. planned parenthood activist margaret sanger once said, “no woman can call herself free who does not own and control her body.”
- Explains that it is legal to kill a baby because they own their house, and they alone know what's good and bad for "my" house.
- Explains that loss of one's life is almost the greatest misfortune that can happen to one. abortion is morally wrong.
939 words
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Abortion: Every Woman Has the Right to Choose
analytical essay
Each of us desires a small hint to what our futures may hold, but few desire the answer to come to them on a stick with two pink lines. An unexpected pregnancy has the potential to become the greatest blessing or an inconceivable challenge depending on the individual and her current place in life. Upon confirming an unexpected pregnancy, each female must evaluate what choice is the best for her and her potential child. Regardless of the decision one makes (whether it be abortion, adoption, or even starting a family) there are certain benefits and drawbacks that are bound to be a part of each. In recent years, the benefits and drawbacks of abortion have become the center of a hostile dispute. The pro-life argument centers around the idea that a fetus has the potential for personhood or is already a person and abortion would be destroying its right to life. Whereas the pro-choice argument states that a women’s right to decide what happens to and within her body over powers the rights of a potential person. As an individual who believes that all people have the right to life, as well as that each person has the right to determine what occurs with their body, I struggle siding with either argument. In efforts to satisfy my morality connection to both rights, I believe that abortion within the first 22 weeks of pregnancy should be a legally protected right guaranteed to all females regardless of the circumstances that lead to their pregnancy.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that mary anne warren's argument that it is wrong to destroy any person with a reasonable life only applies as long as society can sustain their financial burden.
- Argues that science is an indisputable fact, despite objections from harry j. gensler, don marquis, and marry anne warren.
- Opines that in both cases, you are simply taking away a crutch. in the case of those relying on life support, it is either the person designated to do so, or their next of kin.
- Argues that mary anne warren's argument that it is wrong to destroy any person with a reasonable life only applies as long as society can sustain their financial burden.
- Argues that science is an indisputable fact, despite objections from harry j. gensler, don marquis, and marry anne warren.
- Opines that in both cases, you are simply taking away a crutch. in the case of those relying on life support, it is either the person designated to do so, or their next of kin.
- Explains that the idea that each individual has the right to do what they wish to their body is almost as widely accepted as murder is wrong.
- Opines that having a right to life does not guarantee having the use of another person’s body even if one needs it for life itself.
- Opines that the circumstances surrounding a pregnancy determine if an abortion should be allowed.
- Opines that it is a moral responsibility to give all females the right to abortion within the first 22 weeks of their pregnancy.
- Argues that abortion within the first 22 weeks of pregnancy should be a legally protected right guaranteed to all women regardless of the circumstances that lead to their pregnancy.
- Argues that abortion is a socially unacceptable act regardless of the surrounding circumstances. pro-life and pro-choice argue not that killing is deplorable, but at what point the fetus constitutes the moral right to life.
1647 words
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Marquis´View on Abortion and Euthanasia
analytical essay
Marquis believes abortion to be extremely immoral. However he mentions that there are exceptions in rare but certain circumstances where abortion is acceptable. We can infer that these instances would include situations that would put the mother or child at serious risk by keeping the fetus. He is frustrated that this idea has received minimal support recently. As a result he wants to influence change in society in hopes of receiving the support and publicity this topic deserves. Marquis’ primary argument stems from the idea of killing in general. He explains it is immoral to kill an adult because it prematurely deprives the human of something they may have valued at the time they were killed, as well as something they may had valued in the future. Although the victim may not realize it at the time of their death, they certainly had a valuable future ahead of them to experience which has been cut short. We are the only ones who can decide what is valuable to them; in this case we value some things more than others, and this concept differs from person to person. For example, in the present I value the life I am given and the opportunity I have to earn my degree at Villanova University while also valuing my future as well knowing that I have a chance to be successful in the future. Although I have not succeeded yet, I still value that opportunity I have and the life I’m capable of achieving through earning a degree. Therefore, he connects this same theory to the life of a fetus. By killing the fetus the result is the same, we are depriving it of its futur...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that abortion is considered a sensitive topic in society. marquis has decided to voice his opinion on the matter.
- Explains that marquis believes abortion to be extremely immoral, but there are exceptions in rare but certain circumstances where abortion is acceptable. he wants to influence change in society in hopes of receiving support and publicity this topic deserves.
- Analyzes how marquis connects this theory to the life of a fetus. he argues that abortion is highly immoral.
- Explains that abortion is considered a sensitive topic in society. marquis has decided to voice his opinion on the matter.
- Explains that marquis believes abortion to be extremely immoral, but there are exceptions in rare but certain circumstances where abortion is acceptable. he wants to influence change in society in hopes of receiving support and publicity this topic deserves.
- Analyzes how marquis connects this theory to the life of a fetus. he argues that abortion is highly immoral.
- Argues that killing an unborn child is simply immoral, partly due to the fact that they don't even have the choice to decide whether or not their life is valuable to them.
- Analyzes how marquis' stance on euthanasia differs from his views on abortion in several ways. he believes terminally ill patients should not suffer if their future holds no value.
762 words
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The World Needs Abortion
explanatory essay
Of crucial importance is when abortion should be performed. If a human embryo is conscious, its rights should ...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that abortion can prevent overpopulation, since the embryo or fetus weighs less than 100grams. abortion should be legal since humans become conscious after birth.
- Opines that abortion should be allowed, but pregnant women shouldn't have a right to bring serious nonfatal harm to their future children.
- Explains cozic, charles, tipp, stacey, and tipp's abortion: opposing viewpoints. greenhaven press, inc.
- Explains that abortion can prevent overpopulation, since the embryo or fetus weighs less than 100grams. abortion should be legal since humans become conscious after birth.
- Opines that abortion should be allowed, but pregnant women shouldn't have a right to bring serious nonfatal harm to their future children.
- Explains cozic, charles, tipp, stacey, and tipp's abortion: opposing viewpoints. greenhaven press, inc.
- Explains that people are protected by ethics and by law since they are able to feel.
- Explains that the world has a problem of overpopulation, not under-population, because too many people exist and strain the natural resources. abortion prevents poverty and reduces crime.
- Explains that feeling is meaningless without comprehending. scientific models state physical laws, and time evolution of the system is deterministic.
- Explains the differences between abortion and infanticide, stating that the mother should be allowed to kill her child only for the first week after birth.
- Explains that some claim that the bible opposes abortion, but the evidence shows otherwise. god created man in his own image, in the image of god.
- Explains that abortions are approved in case of adultery by the woman. the new testament places strict moral rules.
- Explains that a zygote is unable to think and can evolve into more than one person. if god considered embryos as people, he would have prevented their death in such numbers.
- Explains that a fetus weighs less than half of human brain. the argument against abortion is due to confusion about who or what is human.
- Opines that abortion is prohibited in some countries, making it unsafe and illegal. abortion ends pregnancy, and raising children is a major complication on any woman's life.
- Explains that if an object was conscious but temporarily ceased to be conscious, killing it would affect a conscious object since the object existed.
3082 words
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The Philosophy Of Abortion By David Boonin
analytical essay
In the debate, “The Philosophy of Abortion” between David Boonin and Peter Kreeft, both arguers are trying to prove something regarding abortion. For example, David Boonin argues that abortion in most cases is morally permissible. David Boonin supports his argument by stating that although the unborn is surely a valuable human being with a right to life, abortion is nonetheless morally permissible. During his argument, Boonin proposed a thought experiment to the audience to support his statement for pro-choice. He suggested to the audience to imagine walking through a park and a doctor knocked you unconscious and after wards hooks up the person to a marrow extraction device, their only option was to stay hooked for nine months into him and
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the debate between david boonin and peter kreeft on "the philosophy of abortion".
- Analyzes the debate between david boonin and peter kreeft on "the philosophy of abortion".
392 words
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Abortion And Infanticide By Michael Tooley
analytical essay
Who and what has a right to life is a question most would not know how to answer or would ignore. The topic of abortion which is the termination of a fetus, and Infanticide that is the killing of a baby within a year of birth, are complicated. Michael Tooley in his essay “Abortion and Infanticide” argues that abortion and infanticide are permissible. His main argument is that infants do not have a right to life because they do not have a sense of self. In his essay he writes “Since it is virtually certain that an infant at such a stage of its development does not possess the concept of a continuing self, and thus does not possess a serious right to life, there is excellent reason to believe that infanticide is morally permissible in most cases where it is otherwise desirable.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how michael tooley argues that abortion and infanticide are permissible because infants do not possess a serious right to life.
- Analyzes how tooley's article touched a controversial topic that nobody really likes to talk about. he was open-minded and considered to put other points of view and wrote why they are not valid.
- Analyzes how michael tooley argues that abortion and infanticide are permissible because infants do not possess a serious right to life.
- Analyzes how tooley's article touched a controversial topic that nobody really likes to talk about. he was open-minded and considered to put other points of view and wrote why they are not valid.
665 words
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Potentiality View
analytical essay
Of the four views explored by Hursthouse (1987), I have chosen to analyse and critically examine the potentiality view. The potentiality view is a broad perspective that has elements of both the conservative and the extreme liberal views concerning the moral status of the human foetus. It is guided by the idea that the human foetus is morally unique from the time of conception because it is not like any other known living thing, as it has the potential to become a human being without the actuality of being one. The potentiality view can also cause confusion with the arguments about the consequences of a unique moral status, since it argues both for the conservative and extreme liberal sides, rather than just pointing out a single opinion in regards to abortion and foetal research.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes and critically examines the potentiality view, a broad perspective that has elements of both the conservative and extreme liberal views regarding the moral status of the human foetus.
- Evaluates the potentiality view's argument that every human foetus has a unique moral status, unlike any other living thing. they appreciate the combination of liberal and conservative views without the extremes of either.
- Explains that the argument is valid based on the principle that if an argument has true premises, then the conclusion must also be true.
- Analyzes and critically examines the potentiality view, a broad perspective that has elements of both the conservative and extreme liberal views regarding the moral status of the human foetus.
- Evaluates the potentiality view's argument that every human foetus has a unique moral status, unlike any other living thing. they appreciate the combination of liberal and conservative views without the extremes of either.
- Explains that the argument is valid based on the principle that if an argument has true premises, then the conclusion must also be true.
- Opines that the argument is valid and sound, but there are some elements that are imperfect and can be criticised. for example, the foetus has unique moral status from conception.
- Argues that human foetuses should have a separate set of morals because they aren't the same as actual humans, merely have the potential to become humans.
- Opines that the potentiality view's argument that a human foetus has unique morals is structurally valid and sound, but it is not perfect. there are issues that need to be talked about more in depth.
829 words
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Philosophy and the Morality of Abortion
analytical essay
Many arguments in the abortion debate assume that the morality of abortion depends upon the moral status of the foetus. While I regard the moral status of the foetus as important, it is not the central issue that determines the moral justifiability of abortion. The foetus may be awarded a level of moral status, nevertheless, such status does not result in the prescription of a set moral judgement. As with many morally significant issues, there are competing interests and a variety of possible outcomes that need to be considered when making a moral judgement on abortion. While we need to determine the moral status of the foetus in order to establish the type of entity we are dealing with, it does not, however, exist in a moral vacuum. There are other key issues requiring attention, such as the moral status and interests of the pregnant woman who may desire an abortion, and importantly, the likely consequences of aborting or not aborting a particular foetus. Furthermore, I assert that moral status should be awarded as a matter of degree, based upon the capacities of sentience and self-consciousness an entity possesses. In a bid to reach a coherent conclusion on the issue, the moral status of both foetus and woman, along with the likely results of aborting a particular foetus, must be considered together. Given the multiple facets requiring consideration, I assert that utilitarianism (Mill 1863) offers a coherent framework for weighing and comparing the inputs across a variety of situations, which can determine whether it is ever morally justifiable to have an abortion.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that utilitarianism offers a coherent framework for weighing and comparing inputs across situations, which can determine whether an abortion is morally justifiable.
- Explains that to ascribe an entity with moral status, it is to declare that its treatment by other moral agents is morally important. sentience alone is enough, regardless of characteristics.
- Argues that granting moral status based upon sentience and self-consciousness restricts awarding it to members of the animal kingdom due to a biological composition which endows them with such capacities.
- Argues that utilitarianism offers a coherent framework for weighing and comparing inputs across situations, which can determine whether an abortion is morally justifiable.
- Explains that to ascribe an entity with moral status, it is to declare that its treatment by other moral agents is morally important. sentience alone is enough, regardless of characteristics.
- Argues that granting moral status based upon sentience and self-consciousness restricts awarding it to members of the animal kingdom due to a biological composition which endows them with such capacities.
- Explains that moral status is not equally distributed amongst entities with the appropriate capacities. the extent of an entity's sentience and self-consciousness is constrained by the type of biological entity it is, its stage of development, and the condition of its biological systems.
- Explains that the difference between sentient and self-conscious entities is significant when we think about killing.
- Opines that the moral status of the foetus is important when debating moral justifiability of abortion.
- Explains utilitarianism as an ethical theory concerned with the consequences of different choices.
- Explains that abortion is not only morally justifiable, but could also be ethically obligated in the case of the foetus. spina bifada causes paralysis from the waist down, incontinence, and intellectual disabilities.
- Opines that a woman who desires an abortion should always take precedence over the foetus, as only she is an individual with plans, goals, and conscious desire to go on living.
- Argues that abortion has a future-of-value, is biologically human, and is sentient. the argument about abortion focusing on the characteristics of the foetus is incoherent.
- Argues that if sentience is a pre-requisite for suffering, and self-consciousness gives one greater ability to suffer, entities with such characteristics would be better off without being brought into existence.
- Opines that the moral status of the foetus is an important component that contributes to a moral judgement on abortion.
- Describes benatar, d., and m. (2001) 'a pain in the fetus: toward ending confusion about fetal pain.
- Cites benatar, d., better never to have been: the harm of coming into existence.
- Analyzes degrazia's 'moral status as a matter of degree?' the southern journal of philosophy, 46:
- States that noggle, c. a., dean, r.
- Cites noonan, j. t., 'an almost absolute value in history', in intervention and reflection: basic i.
- Cites michael, t., kuhse & singer, a companion to bioethics, new jersey.
- Explains warren, m. a., 'on the moral and legal status of abortion', monist, vol.
1931 words
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Secular World View Of Abortion
analytical essay
A foetus’s potential for developing into a person does not provide a basis for the claim that it has a significant right to life. Even if a potential person has some right to life, that right should not outweigh the right of a woman to obtain an abortion, as I believe the rights of any actual person invariably outweigh those of any potential
In this essay, the author
- Explains the implications of holding catholic values when dealing with the issue of abortion, such as rape cases.
- Explains that brazil's strong views of the church caused a furore within brazil and brazilian devotion to the catholic church has declined over the past several years. only 74% of brazilians admit allegiance to rome.
- Analyzes how the vatican acknowledged that it does not know when the foetus becomes a person. only 14% of catholics agree with the bishops that abortion should be illegal.
- Explains the implications of holding catholic values when dealing with the issue of abortion, such as rape cases.
- Explains that brazil's strong views of the church caused a furore within brazil and brazilian devotion to the catholic church has declined over the past several years. only 74% of brazilians admit allegiance to rome.
- Analyzes how the vatican acknowledged that it does not know when the foetus becomes a person. only 14% of catholics agree with the bishops that abortion should be illegal.
- Argues that the secular views are based on facts and science. they believe that a foetus cannot exist independent of the mother.
- Explains that the catholic church believes that human life begins when the woman's egg is fertilised by a male sperm.
1968 words
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Analysis Of Tooley's Response To The Potentiality Argument
analytical essay
My goal in this essay is to show that Tooley’s response to the Potentiality Argument (that is, the argument formulated in the essay question) is not successful and that the fetus ' potential for a valuable life and future does morally justify extending to it a right to life. I begin with a formulation of the Potentiality Argument. Next, I present Tooley’s response to this argument. Finally, I argue that this response fails to establish the claim that killing a person and letting a person die both have an equal moral standpoint.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that tooley's response to the potentiality argument isn't successful and that the fetus' potential for a valuable life and future does morally justify extending to it life.
- Explains that the potentiality argument can be formulated as follows: if a (any being, human or nonhuman) has a potential for personhood and valuable life, then it is morally impermissible to kill it.
- Analyzes how tooley integrates the hypothetical situation with his moral symmetry principle to establish that the distinction between action and inaction lacks moral significance, provided both cases have the same motivation.
- Argues that tooley's response to the potentiality argument isn't successful and that the fetus' potential for a valuable life and future does morally justify extending to it life.
- Explains that the potentiality argument can be formulated as follows: if a (any being, human or nonhuman) has a potential for personhood and valuable life, then it is morally impermissible to kill it.
- Analyzes how tooley integrates the hypothetical situation with his moral symmetry principle to establish that the distinction between action and inaction lacks moral significance, provided both cases have the same motivation.
- Argues that tooley's response to the potentiality argument is not persuasive enough, as it raises a few technical questions.
737 words
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