Abortion Ethical Debate

Abortion is a very emotional issue and so is one of the most difficult issues to rationally address. The articles you are reading both present rational arguments. Thomson’s article presents various thought experiments that are meant to rationally persuade the reader that abortion is morally acceptable in various circumstances. Marquis’s article uses some very basic consequentialist assumptions to argue that abortion is immoral in nearly all circumstances. Please pay close attention to the conceptual distinctions they make and the thought experiments they use.

READ “APPENDIX: HOW TO WRITE AN ETHICS PAPER” PAGES 570-573.

You will be writing a paper on a contemporary issue, so pay special attention to pages 570—573 which describe the type of paper, types of reasons and reasoning, and the use of analogies for your paper.

In addition to reading those pages closely look at the outline provided on page 577—578. This is merely a suggested outline, so please be clear that you must do everything asked of you in the assignment; however, this outline does provide an initial model for how to structure your paper.

Important Note: The outline (on 577—578) does not follow MLA format so do not let that confuse you. Your paper must follow current MLA guidelines (again, please see the links provided so that you are following the updated MLA guidelines).

Write a 3.5—5 page paper following MLA guidelines. You will be penalized for failure to follow MLA guidelines. You are to analyze the key arguments either for or against the morality of abortion given your reading of the two articles assigned (“A Defense of Abortion” by Judith Jarvis Thomson and “Why Abortion Is Immoral” by Don Marquis). The focus is on your understanding of the debate as presented in the two articles. This paper will demonstrate your ability to responsibly address a difficult issue and to communicate your understanding of the arguments under consideration. Make sure, in the course of writing your paper, that you summarize and analyze the core elements of each article using your own words while providing citations for main ideas and quotes.

More specifically, in the Judith Jarvis Thomson article make sure to explain, clarify and analyze the violinist example, the people seeds example and how she explains what right to life really means.

Also, make sure when discussing the Marquis article to explain: the type of moral reasoning he uses (i.e. is it deontological, utilitarian, etc.), how he analyzes why it is wrong to kill an adult human being and what he says about contraception.

Finally, tell me which view you find to be more rationally (not emotionally) persuasive and why.