Don Marquis: an Argument That Abortion Is Wrong

question 18

Essay

Don Marquis: An Argument That Abortion Is Wrong
Marquis begins by arguing that the abortion debate has reached a standoff, and that the standard arguments on both sides have insurmountable problems. Opponents of abortion usually argue that all human beings have a right to life and the fetus is a human being, so the fetus has a right to life. Marquis objects that cancer-cell cultures are biologically human, but do not have a right to life. On the other hand, those who believe abortion is morally permissible often claim that only persons have a right to life and the fetus is not a person, so the fetus does not have a right to life. Marquis objects to this argument as well, on the grounds that infants and the severely retarded do not seem to be persons in the relevant sense, but clearly have a right to life. This suggests that a different approach to the abortion debate is needed.
Marquis proceeds by asking what it is that makes killing normal adult human beings wrong. Killing is wrong, Marquis maintains, because it deprives the victim of a valuable future. That is, killing someone is wrong if it deprives her of a "future like ours" (FLO). This account is supported by four considerations: It fits with our considered judgment about the nature of the misfortune of death, it explains why murder is the worst of crimes, it coheres with our judgments about cases, and it is analogous to a persuasive argument for the wrongness of animal cruelty. If one accepts the FLO account of the wrongness of killing, one must conclude that abortion is presumptively wrong, because (in most cases) abortion deprives the fetus of a future like ours. Marquis closes by replying to the objection that his view entails that contraception is immoral.
-Explain the "argument from interests" for the permissibility of abortion. How does Marquis respond to this argument? Do you find his response convincing? Why or why not?

Understand the principles of natural selection and its effects on populations.

Analyze data and interpret graphs to identify types of selection in nature.

Design studies to test hypotheses about evolutionary processes in natural populations.

Describe the concept of convergent evolution and how it can be tested.

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Managerial Responsibility

The obligation of managers to make decisions and oversee an organization's resources and operations in an ethical, effective, and lawful manner.

Technical Skills

refer to the abilities and knowledge needed to perform specific tasks, often involving mechanical, informational, or scientific tasks.

Organisation

An entity comprising multiple people, such as a corporation or government, structured to achieve a collective goal or set of objectives.

Manager

An individual responsible for controlling or administering an organization or group of staff, making decisions on planning, organizing, leading, and controlling.