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Fetus as Human Being: Where is the Cut-off Point?
1Assistant Professor, Iranian Institute of Philosophy.
Journal of Medical Ethics and History of Medicine
|August 3, 2013
Summary
This paper critiques arguments for abortion, questioning the proponents' definition of personhood. It argues that the proponents' stance on fetal personhood is semantically vague and may lead to morally questionable conclusions like infanticide.
Area of Science:
- Medical Ethics
- Philosophy of Medicine
- Bioethics
Background:
- Abortion is a contentious issue in medical ethics.
- Opponents argue a fetus is a human being, making abortion morally wrong.
- Proponents' arguments regarding fetal personhood are often debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critique the proponents' arguments for abortion.
- To challenge the semantic basis of personhood used in abortion debates.
- To highlight the inadequacy and vagueness in defining personhood.
Main Methods:
- Philosophical argumentation
- Ethical analysis
- Semantic critique of personhood concepts
Main Results:
- The proponents' arguments for abortion are deemed unjustified and wanting.
- The concept of 'personhood' as used by abortion proponents is semantically vague.
- The proponents face a dilemma concerning infanticide or defining a clear cut-off for personhood.
Conclusions:
- The semantic definition of personhood in abortion debates is inadequate.
- Proponents must address the moral implications of their definition of personhood.
- Failure to clarify personhood definitions weakens the ethical justification for abortion.
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