Deck 5: Abortion

Question 1

Pruss argues that abortion is wrong in exactly the same circumstances in which killing an adult is wrong.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Pruss's argument rests on the observation that "I was once an fetus".

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Pruss claims that it would be just as wrong to have killed him as an embryo as it would be to kill him today.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Pruss's argument centers on the question of weather the fetus is a person.

Question 5

Mills argues that if I was never a zygote, then I didn't originate at conception.

Question 6

Mills argues that if I was a zygote, I didn't originate at conception.

Question 7

Thomson's argument for the permissibility of abortion rests on establishing the claim that the fetus is not a person.

Question 8

Thomson uses the box of chocolates example to argue that abortion is permissible in cases in which the fetus is severely defective.

Question 9

Thomson argues that we are morally required to be Good Samaritans.

Question 10

According to Hursthouse's theory of virtue, women's rights to privacy, bodily self-determination and autonomy are of relatively little importance.

Question 11

On what grounds does Pruss argue that the fertilized egg is not a "part" of the mother?

A) The fertilized egg is genetically distinct from the mother.
B) The fertilized egg engages in self-directed behavior such as releasing hormones that trigger changes in the woman.
C) If the fertilized egg were merely a part of the mother, it would have to be a part of the father for the same reason. But that's absurd.
D) All of the above

Question 12

Which of the following is a premise in Pruss's argument?

A) The fetus is a person.
B) All persons have a right to life.
C) I was once a fetus.
D) All of the above

Question 13

If the embryo from which I emerged divided and thus formed identical twins, what, on Pruss's view, happens to the original embryo?

A) The original embryo ceases to exist the moment it splits.
B) There were two original embryos, both of which occupied the same space-time position.
C) Each twin is identical to the original embryo.
D) All of the above

Question 14

What, on Mills' view, is the relation between the zygote and the embryo?

A) The embryo and the zygote are identical.
B) The embryo and the zygote are not identical.
C) Neither the embryo no the zygote are identical to the fetus.
D) All of the above

Question 15

Thomson's case of the famous violinist is intended to parallel abortion in the case of ____________.

A) Endangerment to the mother's life
B) Rape
C) Use of reasonable precautions
D) Fetal abnormalities

Question 16

Thomson's case of the tiny child growing inside the house is intended to parallel abortion in the case of ____________.

A) Endangerment to the mother's life
B) Rape
C) Use of reasonable precautions
D) Fetal abnormalities

Question 17

Thomson argues that abortion is permissible if reasonable precautions were taken to avoid pregnancy. Which example does she use to argue this point?

A) The tiny child growing inside the house
B) Henry Fonda
C) Person-seeds
D) Jones, Smith and the Coat

Question 18

Thomson argues that the right to life does not entail the right to use another person's body. What example does she use to argue this point?

A) The tiny child growing inside the house
B) Henry Fonda
C) Person-seeds
D) Jones, Smith and the Coat

Question 19

Hursthouse's discussion of abortion is based on which ethical theory?

A) Theory of Natural Law
B) Virtue Ethics
C) Utilitarianism
D) Kantianism

Question 20

Why, on Hursthouse's analysis, do some people want to avoid parenthood?

A) Those who do not want to become parents have mistaken ideas about freedom.
B) Those who do not want to become parents are mistaken about the nature of self-realization.
C) Those who do not want to become parents have an immature view of life-that life is all about "having a good time"
D) All of the above

Question 21

Pruss's argument hinges on the metaphysical claim that I am the same person as the embryo from which I emerged. Do you agree or disagree with this claim? If the embryo from which I emerged had split, thus producing identical twins, would I be the same person as my twin, according to Pruss? How does Pruss respond to concerns about pre-twinning embryos?

Question 22

Do you think that because I possess human dignity today, that the fetus from which I emerged necessarily possess human dignity?

Question 23

List each example Thomson uses and explain the point of that example.

Question 24

Thomson argues that our right to self-defense permits us to kill an innocent person. Do you agree or disagree with this claim?

Question 25

Thomson argues that the right to life does not entail the right to use another person's body. Do you agree or disagree with this claim? Do you think there are certain actions (having consensual sex, for instance) that gives the fetus the right to use the mother's body? Discuss.

Question 26

Thomson argues that morality does not require that we be Good Sanitarians. Do you agree or disagree with this claim? If a child were drowning in a koi pond and I could save the child's life simply by reaching out and pulling the child to safety, yet I choose not to do so out of concern that I will get my shirt sleeve wet, have I done something immoral-i.e., is it morally wrong for me to refuse to help a downing child when helping the child requires so little of me? Discuss.

Question 27

Explain Hursthouse's account of virtue ethics.

Question 28

Hursthouse believes it is a red herring to focus on women's rights. On what grounds does she advance this claim? Do you agree or disagree?

Question 29

Do you think parenthood and child rearing are important for human flourishing? What, precisely, does this mean? Do you think parenthood and child rearing are necessary to attain self-actualization? Might one argue, on the contrary, that in some cases carrying pregnancy to term thwarts self-actualization? Discuss.

Question 30

Hursthouse argues that most cases of unwanted pregnancies are the result of some moral failing on the part of the woman. Do you agree with this claim? Do you think this claim is sexist? Do you think women can be sexist? Discuss.