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The Moral Significance of Abortion Inconsistency Arguments

Authors :
William Simkulet
Source :
Asian Bioethics Review
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
Springer Singapore, 2021.

Abstract

Most opponents of abortion (OA) believe fetuses matter. Critics argue that OA act inconsistently with regards to fetal life, seeking to restrict access to induced abortion, but largely ignoring spontaneous abortion and the creation of surplus embryos by IVF. Nicholas Colgrove, Bruce Blackshaw, and Daniel Rodger call such arguments inconsistency arguments and contend they do not matter. They present three objections to these arguments - the other beliefs, other actions, and hypocrisy objection. Previously, I argued these objections fail and threaten to undermine ethical inquiry. Colgrove et al. have recently replied, but here, I argue their reply fails as well and raises a new criticism of the other actions' objection. This essay sets out to show, as well as any philosophical argument can, that inconsistency arguments are morally significant.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
17939453 and 17938759
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Asian Bioethics Review
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....4d1a00525f856c7d66cbb51c79a18c5d