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Phil 108 notes - Summary Moral and Social Problems
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- PHIL108
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- University Of Massachusetts - Boston
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Philosophy 108 chapter notesAbortion
The abortion topic brings up considerations that are applied to a personal decision to have an
abortion or not. Also included are considerations of what are the best laws and social policies
for society in relation to abortion.
Covered in the readings are authors in a wide range or spectrum of views including
conservative, liberal , and moderate options. As you explore these views, I urge thinking about
where you would locate your own views and what your reasons are for the views you have.
Views on abortion can be seen as considering the fetus and considering a woman’s choice. In
the most conservative views consideration of the fetus dominates, while in the most liberal views
consideration of choice dominates. Moderate views balance the considerations in various ways.
A central question is that of personhood, if the fetus is at some point fully a person before birth
or only potentially a person.
VIEWS OF AUTHORS
M. WARREN. Strictly liberal, supporting choice in all situations. Views the fetus as at most
potentially a person, and views rights of actual people as always outweighing any rights that
might be applied to potential people.
D. MARQUIS. Very conservative. Views abortion as almost always wrong. Sees abortion as
killing, taking away a beings’ future.
J. THOMSON. Moderate. Sees the fetus as different from a born person. Argues that even if the
fetus were a person from conception, abortion would not always be wrong. Just and unjust
killing can be distinguished.
P. LEE and R. GEORGE. Strictly conservative. Argue that the fetus is fully a person from the
moment of conception. Argue that abortion, as killing a person, is always wrong.
M. LITTLE. Moderate. Argues that the fetus is potentially a person and deserves respect as a
developing being. Supports the woman making a conscientious choice which involves
considering potential life and what impending motherhood would be like.
ROE v. WADE MAJORITY OPINION. Establishes abortion as legal up until viability. Views
restriction of abortion after viability as an acceptable legal option providing there are provision
for later abortions in situations of risk to the health and well being of the woman.
, Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide
CONTEXT
Issues in this part of the course grow out of situations where people are faced with decisions
involved in diminished quality of life.
EUTHANASIA
Advance directive: Health Care Proxy; Instructional Directive (living will). These provide ways of
addressing what decisions might be made about one’s care if one is not able to make decisions.
Distinctions
Voluntary and Nonvoluntary Euthanasia
Active Euthanasia and Passive Euthanasia.
Questions
Is active euthanasia ever acceptable? Should active euthanasia be legalized for some
situations?
PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE
Forms of Assistance
Providing Information
Providing Means (example, providing a lethal dose of medication)
Physically Assisting
Questions
Is physician-assisted suicide in some form or forms ever acceptable? Should some
forms or forms of physician-assisted be legalized for some situations?
VIEW OF AUTHORS
J. Rachels. Argues that the traditional distinction between active and passive euthanasia, killing
and allowing to die, is not morally significant. Supports legalization of active euthanasia as a
way to provide relief of suffering in some situations.
D. Callahan. Argues for the distinction between killing and allowing to die. Argues that allowing
to die is compatible with the role of a physician in some situations, but that active euthanasia is
never compatible with the physician’s role.
D. Brock. Argues for morality of voluntary active euthanasia and legalization of it based on an
appeal to values of autonomy and individual well being. Views this as extending physician
respect for patient autonomy.
S. Potts. Argues against legalization of active euthanasia based of appealing to abuses and
harms that could result from it being institutionalized.
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