Abortion Q&A

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  • Created by: serebro
  • Created on: 04-04-14 21:07
Define Abortion.
The deliberate termination of a human pregnancy
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According to the Law, when can abortion typically be carried out?
UK Law: 0-24 weeks, later if mother's life is in danger or a severe disability
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Give an example of an ethical issue surrounding abortion.
Should a father get a say? Does a surrogate mother have the right to abort? Is it right to abort one of twins? Should a foetus be given pain relief before termination?
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How would a woman go about getting an abortion?
Seeking approval from two, different doctors
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How is abortion carried out?
Either through medication (a pill) or surgically.
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What is the Classical Utilitarian attitude to a woman's right to abortion?
Unacceptable, as it is a deontological, absolute rule/right. It may not achieve the best consequences (teleological) if we gave all women the right to abort.
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What is the General Utilitarian attitude to abortion itself?
It can be fine, for example using the Hedonic Calculus to show how the foetus would cause 'pain'.
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What is the Kantian view on abortion?
You would apply the Categorical Imperative to it. This would require certain wording, i.e 'Everyone must have an abortion' would end up with no humans left to abort a foetus. But '**** victims should have an abortion' is more flexible.
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What is the Natural Law attitude to abortion?
Unacceptable in nearly every circumstance. Breaks Preservation of Life. Abortion would only work with Double Effect, where it is merely a consequence of a good action.
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What is an Ectopic Pregnancy and how might it affect Natural Law attitude?
Where a foetus grows in the fallopian tube and will cause both mother and foetus to die. Double Effect would allow us to remove the fallopian tube and save the mother, the abortion is an unevitable consequence.
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What would Situation Ethics say about abortion?
It depends on what the most loving action is. Typically it is most loving to create a child and give them life for them to do loving things. But if it is burden on others (i.e siblings) abortion can be acceptable.
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Why is it controversial to abort a foetus?
It could be seen as murder, especially of an innocent. However, it's hard to say if a foetus is a Person.
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Who is Mary Anne Warren and what did she do?
Argued Pro-Choice side, created a set of criteria that established what a Person is in her eyes.
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Who is Judith Jarvis Thomson and what did she argue?
An American philosopher who argued for Pro-Choice, using the Analogy of the Violinist in 'A Defense of Abortion'
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What is the Analogy of the Violinist?
You've been kidnapped by a music organisation. You wake up connected to an unconscious, famous violinist who relies on your kidneys to cure him from poison. If you unplug him, he will die. So you have to wait 9 months until you're free.
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How does the Analogy of the Violinist relate to Abortion?
Similar to pregnancy. Thomson argues that unplugging the violinist (aborting a baby) stops him taking advantage of your body, which he has no right to. A foetus is similar as it uses the mother's energy to survive.
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Card 2

Front

According to the Law, when can abortion typically be carried out?

Back

UK Law: 0-24 weeks, later if mother's life is in danger or a severe disability

Card 3

Front

Give an example of an ethical issue surrounding abortion.

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

How would a woman go about getting an abortion?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

How is abortion carried out?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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