Strengthening the impairment argument against abortion

Area of Science:

• Bioethics
• Moral Philosophy

Background:

• Perry Hendricks' impairment argument posits abortion is immoral based on fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and the impairment principle (TIP).
• Critics have challenged the ceteris paribus clause within TIP, questioning the similarity of conditions for impairment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze and strengthen Perry Hendricks' impairment argument regarding the morality of abortion.
• To demonstrate the superfluous nature of the ceteris paribus clause in the impairment principle.

Main Methods:

• The study critically examines the logical structure of the impairment argument.
• It proposes a modification to the impairment principle by replacing the ceteris paribus clause with a more restrictive condition.

Main Results:

• The ceteris paribus clause in the impairment principle is identified as superfluous.
• The argument is significantly strengthened by substituting the ceteris paribus clause with a more restrictive condition.

Conclusions:

• The refined impairment argument provides a more robust philosophical basis for the immorality of abortion.
• The modification enhances the logical coherence and persuasive power of the original argument.