Virtue Theory and Abortion
Rosalind Hursthouse
Abstract
Abstract Many objections to virtue theory as a moral theory on a level with deontology and utilitarianism can be dismissed when its structure is properly understood and it is clear what has to be assumed by any moral theory. Applied to issues of abortion, an approach in terms of the virtues takes account of all aspects of pregnancy and related biological and social issues, instead of focusing only on the moral status of the foetus and/or the rights of the woman, both approaches which are inadequate to the seriousness of the issue and also lead to unsettlable disputes.
Topics & Concepts
AbortionSeriousnessUtilitarianismVirtueDeontological ethicsNormative ethicsMoral rightsEpistemologyConsequentialismEthical theoryPhilosophySociologyPregnancyLawPolitical scienceIntellectual propertyGeneticsBiologyEthics in medical practiceEthics and Legal Issues in Pediatric HealthcareReproductive Health and Technologies