Abortion: Three Perspectives

by Michael Tooley, Celia Wolf-Devine, Philip E. Devine, Alison M. Jaggar

Overview

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, as well as of what it means to be pro-choice and pro-life. 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195308952
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	01/13/2009
Series:	Oxford Point/Counterpoint Series
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.10(h) x 0.80(d)

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
PART I.
1. ABORTION: WHY A LIBERAL VIEW IS CORRECT
Michael Tooley
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 Antiabortion 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
2. ABORTION: A COMMUNITARIAN PRO-LIFE PERSPECTIVE
Celia Wolf-Devine and Philip E. Devine
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
3. ABORTION RIGHTS AND GENDER JUSTICE WORLDWIDE: AN ESSAY IN POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY
Alison M. Jaggar
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.
4. Response to Alison M. Jaggar, Celia Wolf-Devine, and Philip E. Devine
Michael Tooley
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
5. Response to Michael Tooley and Alison M. Jaggar
Celia Wolf-Devine and Philip E. Devine
1. Response to Tooley
2. Response to Jaggar
3. A Final Word
6. Response to Michael Tooley, Celia Wolf-Devine, and Philip E. Devine
Alison M. Jaggar
1. Methodology
2. Political Philosophy
3. Reality
4. Policy
5. Sailing under True Colors
Bibliography
Index