Document Detail


Must we have full moral status throughout our existence? A reply to Alfonso Gómez-Lobo.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  18363268     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Those who are morally opposed to abortion generally make several pivotal assumptions. This paper focuses on the assumption that we have full moral status throughout our existence. Coupled with the assumption that we come into existence at conception, the assumption about moral status entails that all human fetuses have full moral status, including a right to life. Is the assumption about moral status correct? In addressing this question, I respond to several arguments advanced, in this journal and other venues, by Alfonso Gómez-Lobo. Gómez-Lobo's reasoning resolves into two basic arguments: (1) an appeal to the practical necessity of early moral protection and (2) an appeal to our kind membership and potentiality. I respond to these in turn before offering further reflections.
Authors:
David DeGrazia
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Comment; Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Kennedy Institute of Ethics journal     Volume:  17     ISSN:  1054-6863     ISO Abbreviation:  Kennedy Inst Ethics J     Publication Date:  2007 Dec 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2008-03-26     Completed Date:  2008-05-02     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9109135     Medline TA:  Kennedy Inst Ethics J     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  297-310; discussion 311-20     Citation Subset:  E; IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Philosophy, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Abortion, Induced / ethics*
Beginning of Human Life* / ethics
Embryo, Mammalian
Ethical Analysis
Fertilization*
Fetus
Humans
Moral Obligations*
Value of Life*
Comments/Corrections
Comment On:
Kennedy Inst Ethics J. 2004 Mar;14(1):75-80   [PMID:  15250119 ]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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