Abortion
Three Perspectives
Published on 15. January 2009
Book
Paperback/Softback
272 pages
978-0-19-530895-2 (ISBN)
Description
Moving beyond traditional "liberal versus conservative" arguments for and against abortion, Abortion: Three Perspectives is an up-to-date, accessible, and engaging exploration of this highly contentious issue. Featuring a triangular debate between four prominent moral and political philosophers, it presents three different political perspectives: Michael Tooley argues the "liberal" pro-choice approach; Philip E. Devine and Celia Wolf-Devine argue the "communitarian" pro-life approach; and Alison M. Jaggar argues the "gender justice" approach. However, each of the authors' self-identifications is also challenged by one or more of the other authors, who offer alternative interpretations of liberalism, communitarianism, and feminism. All of these viewpoints are controversial, among both philosophers and general readers. Furthermore, because the arguments do not rely on religious authority, they are directed at all readers, regardless of religious affiliation.
Abortion: Three Perspectives is divided into two parts: the authors first develop their ideas in depth and then briefly critique the other positions. Drawing examples from real life, they also integrate logic and empirical data into their arguments and consider views of abortion across other disciplines. As philosophers, the authors possess expert skills in critical analysis; their debates provide students and other readers with a model of dialogue among those who very strongly disagree. Abortion: Three Perspectives is ideal for courses in contemporary moral problems, introduction to ethics, bioethics, medical ethics, and feminist philosophy.
Abortion: Three Perspectives is divided into two parts: the authors first develop their ideas in depth and then briefly critique the other positions. Drawing examples from real life, they also integrate logic and empirical data into their arguments and consider views of abortion across other disciplines. As philosophers, the authors possess expert skills in critical analysis; their debates provide students and other readers with a model of dialogue among those who very strongly disagree. Abortion: Three Perspectives is ideal for courses in contemporary moral problems, introduction to ethics, bioethics, medical ethics, and feminist philosophy.
Reviews / Votes
Here, four distinguished philosophers cross words, and often wires, in discussing the ethics of abortion. Crossed swords and crossed wires both generate sparks. The result is an intellectual firework display that should not be missed. * Charles Foster, Contemporary Review *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 210 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
339 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-530895-2 (9780195308952)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
01/2009
Oxford University Press Inc
€53.22
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Persons
Michael Tooley: Professor of Philosophy, University of Colorado at Boulder
Celia Wolf-Devine: Associate Professor of Philosophy, Stonehill College
Phillip E. Devine: Professor of Philosophy, Providence College
Alison Jaggar: Professor of Philosophy and Women's Studies, University of Colorado at Boulder
Celia Wolf-Devine: Associate Professor of Philosophy, Stonehill College
Phillip E. Devine: Professor of Philosophy, Providence College
Alison Jaggar: Professor of Philosophy and Women's Studies, University of Colorado at Boulder
Author
Arts and Sciences College Professor of Distinction in PhilosophyArts and Sciences College Professor of Distinction in Philosophy, the University of Colorado at Boulder
Associate Professor Emerita of PhilosophyAssociate Professor Emerita of Philosophy, Stonehill College
Professor of PhilosophyProfessor of Philosophy, Providence College
Arts and Sciences College Professor of Distinction in Philosophy and in Women and Gender StudiesArts and Sciences College Professor of Distinction in Philosophy and in Women and Gender Studies, University of Colorado at Boulder
Content
PART I. ; ABORTION: WHY A LIBERAL VIEW IS CORRECT ; 1. Thinking about the Morality of Abortion, and Discussing It with Others ; 2. A Brief Overview of My Defense of a Liberal Position on Abortion ; 3. Abortion and the Appeal to Religious Revelation ; 4. The Appeal to an Immaterial, Rational Mind ; 5. The Appeal to Psychological Capacities ; 6. Two Biological Anti-Abortion Arguments ; 7. Potentiality Arguments against Abortion ; 8. The Identity of Persons and Biological Organisms Argument ; 9. Are Moderate Positions on Abortion Tenable? ; 10. The Moral Status of Abortion: A Final Summing Up ; ABORTION: A COMMUNITARIAN PRO-LIFE PERSPECTIVE ; 1. Where We Are Now ; 2. Methodology ; 3. The Prima Facie Case against Abortion ; 4. The Status of the Unborn ; 5. The Pregnant Woman ; 6. Questions of Law ; 7. Policy Recommendations ; 8. Role and Limits of Philosophy ; 9. Conclusion ; ABORTION RIGHTS AND GENDER JUSTICE WORLDWIDE: AN ESSAY IN POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY ; 1. Introduction ; 2. Mapping the Philosophical Terrain ; 3. Liberalism and Feminism: Two Thin Commitments of Political Morality ; 4. Designing Just Institutions in an Unjust World: Some Methodological Commitments ; 5. Some Principles of Political Morality Salient to Abortion in the Real World ; 6. Abortion: Human Rights, Gender Equality, and the Public Good ; 7. Objections to Abortion Rights ; 8. Conclusion ; PART II. ; RESPONSE TO ALISON M. JAGGAR, CELIA WOLF-DEVINE, AND PHILIP E. DEVINE ; Comments on Alison M. Jaggar's Essay ; Reply to Celia Wolf-Devine and Philip E. Devine ; 1. Species Membership and the Right to Life ; 2. The 'Reductio' Objection, and the 'Change-of-Address' Objection ; 3. Potentialities and the Right to Life ; Summing Up ; RESPONSE TO MICHAEL TOOLEY AND ALISON M. JAGGAR ; 1. Response to Tooley ; 2. Response to Jaggar ; 3. A Final Word ; RESPONSE TO MICHAEL TOOLEY, CELIA WOLF-DEVINE, AND PHILIP E. DEVINE ; 1. Methodology ; 2. Political Philosophy ; 3. Reality ; 4. Policy ; 5. Sailing under True Colors