Don Marquis: an Argument That Abortion Is Wrong

question 23

True/False

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.
-Marquis claims that it would be morally arbitrary to refuse to acknowledge that animal suffering is wrong.

---

Definitions:

Theory And Treatment

A concept that encompasses the foundational ideas underlying the methods and strategies for addressing and managing diseases or disorders.

Moral Therapy Approach

A treatment philosophy from the 19th century focused on treating psychiatric patients with compassion and understanding, rather than with physical restraint and coercion.

Mentally Ill

Referring to individuals who suffer from mental disorders that affect their cognition, behavior, and abilities to function in daily life.

Printed

Referring to material that has been produced by a printing process, such as books, documents, or photographs, typically on paper.