The question between whether abortion is morally right or wrong has been talked about for years and no common ground has been made. Judith Thomson, a believer in Pro-choice, argues that abortion is not wrong because the mother should have a choice of what happens to her body. In response to this, Donald Marquis who is against abortion believes every fetus is a human with a right to have a future like ours. Each Ethicist gives examples and theories as to why abortion is wrong or right. In this essay, I will attempt to show that abortion is okay in some cases, and Donald Marquis’s views and arguments are broad and incorrect.…
The debate about abortion focuses on two issues; 1.) Whether the human fetus has the right to life, and, if so, 2.) Whether the rights of the mother override the rights of the fetus. The two ethicists who present strong arguments for their position, and who I am further going to discuss are that of Don Marquis and Judith Thomson. Marquis' "Future Like Ours" (FLO) theory represents his main argument, whereas, Thomson uses analogies to influence the reader of her point of view. Each argument contains strengths and weaknesses, and the point of this paper is to show you that Marquis presents a more sound argument against abortion than Thomson presents for it. An in depth overview of both arguments will be presented in the paper, as well as a critique of both the pros and cons that stem out from the question-begging arguments.…
The topic of abortion is a highly controversial issue in today's society, and various views are held concerning the morality of the procedure. Some people feel that abortion is simply cold-blooded murder, because it is their opinion that a 'foetus' is a human being from the moment of conception. However, others would argue that a foetus is merely insubstantial matter, dependant entirely on its mother's body for survival, with no real life of its own. It is for this reason that pro-abortionists support the woman's choice to undergo abortion. After all, why should something so small and insignificant, which is not yet human, be entitled to the same rights and privileges a real human has"…
Many people believe that abortions should be legal because women should have the right to choose whether or not they want to bring a baby into the world. They believe a woman should have property rights which include the body and the fetus. They also believe a woman should have privacy rights which means the state should not interfere with private matters. These people are called pro choice. At the same time many people are anti-abortion because they believe “Life is present from the moment of conception” (526). In Don Marquis’s essay, “Why Abortion is Immoral” he takes the position that abortion is “morally unjustified” (525). The purpose of the essay is to go against the belief that “The anti-abortion position is either a symptom of irrational religious dogma or a conclusion generated by seriously confused philosophical argument” (525). Abortions should be illegal because they are morally wrong except, in cases beyond our control.…
Judith Jarvis Thompson and Don Marquis both have markedly different views on the topic of abortion. Thompson generally argues that there are cases where abortion may be morally permissible, due to the rights of the mother, while Marquis argues that abortion is almost always morally wrong, except under extraordinary circumstances, because the fetus has a future life. In this paper, I will evaluate the arguments of both parties, as well as identify what premises, if any, they both agree on. In addition, I will supply my own reasoning for why I believe that Marquis presents the more successful argument.…
Jonathan Glover, in his article Matters of Life and Death casts dispersions on both pro-abortion and anti-abortion debates citing them as too knee-jerk emotional reactions diminishing the inherent complexity of the other side (1. Glover, CC2006, p. 0110). Glover comprehensively addresses the key points of both sides of the abortion debate and evaluates their inherent virtues, especially for those who hold these opinions, then methodically points out its flaws. Ultimately, Glover comes to the conclusion that though a fetus is a human at the moment of conception, the right to abort lies with the mother and her own self-determination.…
These two opposing viewpoints are very instructive. One label, “pro-life,” points our attention towards the fetus, while “pro-choice” emphasizes on the pregnant woman. Each of these moral issues explains different viewpoints for the principal focus of moral concern. These two moral viewpoints examines the issues of the moral status of the fetus, criteria of personhood (where one criterion is being conceived by humans), the rights of the pregnant women; the right to privacy, the right to ownership of one’s own body, the right to equal treatment and the right to self-determination, and the other moral considerations like the concerns of feminists about abortion, as well as abortion and…
Marquis, Don. "Why Abortion Is Immoral." Journal of Philosophy 86 (1989): 183-202. Print. This journal is written by a philospher by the name of Don Marquis. While this document is quit outdated it still plays an important role in today 's debate about abortion. It is used by pro-life activists when debating the reasons why they feel abortion is immoral. This journal is long and filled with great ideas to ponder about life, its meaning and signifigance to the world. Marquis has etched his name with this written journal in the never ending debate of wether abortion is right or wrong. I think this piece will be valuable to my essay in that it will give my audience a deeper perception than the current idea that abortion should be a womens choice.…
In industrialized world, abortion is not a criminal offence until a series of law against abortion were passed during the nineteenth century. The proponent prohibition of abortion globally has stressed the medical dangers of abortion. Moreover, it is also argued that fetuses are human beings. Deliberate abortion is therefore considered a form of homicide crime (……..). In popular rhetoric in the USA, abortion issue is considered as a purely women’s right that helps them in maintaining their bodies. Therefore, if women possess the moral right to abort their unwanted pregnancies, the law should not prohibit them from practicing the act of abortion. However, the arguments for this right cannot entirely solve the moral issue of abortion. It is one thing to have a right and another to morally justify when exercising that right. Since fetuses are considered to have equal rights to life like any other person, women’s right to abortion should therefore be exercised only on extreme…
Today in the United States as well as all around our world, one of the most contested and debated issues, that everyone has some sort of opinion on is the subject of abortion. There are many different thoughts, ideals, and opinions on whether or not abortion is right, wrong, or even morally sane to do. There are clinics and hospitals that perform the procedures and at many of these locations there are groups who will hold protests against the operation as well as those who support it. But all of those issues are not what this essay is going to be about, this is going to inform you about whether or not all arguments about the subject abortion come down to the question of what is the moral status of the fetus.…
Abortion is a constitutional issue that questions whether it is ethically acceptable or a violation of the Constitution. It is a constant debate that revolves around moral, religious, and political values and effects several groups including pro-life supporters, pro-choice supporters, the state government, the federal government, courts, mothers, fathers, and most importantly, the child inside the womb. For one reason or another, these groups have their reasons and this essay will explore those arguments and their ethical value, while citing many of the conflicts that have arose in the United States over this highly controversial, constitutional topic. I believe that abortion should be outlawed in the United States with the exception of rape cases and other severe situations.…
One of the western world's most controversial ethical issues in today's society is the act of abortion and its legislation. Abortion is the process in which a baby is killed whilst still in the mother's womb. This is performed for a variety of reasons. Due to the severity of the consequences of an abortion and the moral and religious elements involved, this is an ethical controversy and has divided people for decades.…
Abortion is a heavily debated issue in our country. Many people believe it is immoral and unethical, while some see it as a necessity. Whether the fetus is one or forty-five weeks old, many still see it as murder. At what point of the term of a woman’s pregnancy, is a fetus considered a human being? This issue is still up for further debate. The debate in regards to abortion stems from whether a woman should have the right to end her pregnancy or give birth. I personally do not believe in abortion, however, I also believe it is a woman’s right to make that decision, especially in situations regarding teen pregnancy, financial hardships, rape, and incest. The following paragraphs will describe these circumstances in greater detail, supporting why I support pro choice abortion rights.…
Abortion is the intended termination of a human pregnancy, many think that it is morally wrong in all cases, but can it be considered as morally permissible? Thou shall not kill, but what is really considered murder? Who draws the line on which murder should be permissible and which should not? You might want to get rid of bugs that may appear in your house and you squash them, which is not morally wrong but killing another human being with a cruel intent to harm them would be considered morally wrong?…
: A growing issue in our society today is late-term abortion. A mother and baby develop a very emotional connection through pregnancy, which can leave a mother feeling very devastated if she pursues this act. Since late-term unborn babies begin to develop a sense of consciousness, there is no reason that they should not be treated as people and be acknowledged as having human rights. In a situation where two people’s benefits are conflicting, this right must be deliberated and equivalent. I will argue that the moral principles of Kant, Marquis, and Thomson on abortion will oppose Sue and her husband’s decision to have a late-term abortion at seven months pregnant.…