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Defending the impairment argument.

Bruce Philip Blackshaw¹

¹Philosophy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK bblackshaw@gmail.com.

Journal of Medical Ethics

|August 16, 2023

Summary

The impairment argument against abortion is stronger than previously claimed. This ethical argument better explains the immorality of causing fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) compared to alternative proposals.

Area of Science:

Bioethics
Moral Philosophy
Reproductive Ethics

Background:

The impairment argument against abortion posits that causing abortion is immoral due to the impairment of a potential person.
Critics like van Oosterum and Curran argue this argument is weak and fails to adequately explain the immorality of causing fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).

Purpose of the Study:

To re-evaluate the strength and explanatory power of the impairment argument against abortion.
To provide a robust ethical justification for the immorality of causing FAS in a child.
To compare the impairment argument's explanation with the concept of creative beneficence.

Main Methods:

Philosophical argumentation and ethical analysis.
Critique of existing arguments regarding abortion and FAS.

Keywords:

Abortion - Induced Fetus Future child disability Personhood

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Development and defense of the impairment argument's ethical framework.

Main Results:

The impairment argument is demonstrably stronger and more effective than suggested by critics.
The impairment argument provides a superior ethical explanation for the immorality of causing FAS compared to creative beneficence.
The argument successfully addresses the premise that causing FAS is immoral.

Conclusions:

The impairment argument remains a potent tool in ethical discussions surrounding abortion and prenatal harm.
This ethical framework offers a compelling reason why causing FAS is morally wrong.
Further philosophical inquiry into impairment ethics is warranted.