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Morally relevant potential.

David B Hershenov1, Rose J Hershenov2

  • 1Philosophy Department, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA.

Journal of Medical Ethics
|February 27, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Protecting fetuses and infants relies on their potential. This research argues moral value stems from healthy development, not future psychological ties, to avoid absurd conclusions about potential personhood.

Keywords:
AbortionEmbryos and FetusesHealth PromotionInterests of Woman/Fetus/FatherPhilosophical Ethics

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Area of Science:

  • Bioethics
  • Moral Philosophy
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • The moral status of fetuses and infants is often debated based on their future potential.
  • Valuing potential can lead to counterintuitive conclusions, such as granting moral status to non-sentient biological material.
  • Existing ethical frameworks struggle to consistently define when potential confers moral relevance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose a revised understanding of morally relevant potential.
  • To establish a criterion for moral consideration based on present healthy development.
  • To critique alternative theories, specifically those linking harm to future psychological ties.

Main Methods:

  • Philosophical argumentation and conceptual analysis.
  • Critique of existing ethical theories on potential and harm.
  • Development of a framework based on organismal functioning.

Main Results:

  • Morally relevant potential is intrinsically linked to an organism's present healthy development and proper functioning.
  • The interests of non-sentient organisms are confined to their flourishing, which depends on healthy functioning.
  • Harm occurs when these present interests are frustrated, not by a degree of future psychological connection.

Conclusions:

  • A consistent ethical framework can be established by focusing on present healthy functioning rather than future potential.
  • This approach avoids problematic implications of valuing mere potentiality.
  • Future psychological ties are not a valid basis for determining harm or moral status.