PY 1103, Moral Problems: Abortion

The Pro-Abortion argument:

P1: Every woman has a right to determine the use of her own body.

P2: Abortion involves refusing the use of a woman’s body to the foetus.

Concl: Therefore, every woman has a right to abortion.

Objection: P1 cannot extend to killing an innocent adult person. The argument therefore fails to address the anti-abortion view, according to which a foetus is morally equivalent to an innocent adult person.

4) Thomson’s argument in defence of abortion:

The Violinist Analogy; the violinist has no right to the use of our body.

Implication: Even on the assumption that the foetus is a person, it does not follow that

abortion is wrong.

Objections: i. Not analogous; ii. implausible account of the right to life.

First argument against abortion:

1^st premise: It is wrong to kill an innocent human being.

2^nd premise: A foetus is an innocent human being.

Conclusion: Abortion is wrong.

Implication: abortion is wrong from the moment of conception.

Objection: speciesist.

2) Second argument against abortion:

^1st premise: It is wrong to kill a person.

2^nd premise: A foetus is, at some stage of its development, a person.

Conclusion: Abortion, at a certain stage in the pregnancy, is wrong.

Objection: A foetus is not a person, at any stage in its development.

Implication: infanticide is not intrinsically morally wrong.

3) Third argument against abortion:

1^st premise: A foetus is a potential person.

2^nd premise: It is wrong to kill a potential person.

Conclusion: Abortion is wrong.

Implication: Taking a morning after pill, and using contraception, are also morally wrong.