Lee and George
George and Lee assert that the embryo is _______, as much as a child or adult.
Human
One may categorize Hursthouse as pro-choice because…
She believes abortion is morally permissible in a lot of cases
This is one explanation for why morality/normalcy seems different in different cultures
Cultural relativism
T/F: 1930s Germany is an example of why we should reject cultural relativism.
True
This author appeals mostly to virtues and vices
Hursthouse
Why does it matter that the embryo is distinct from either parent?
Because it is not simply some of their cells that are fully their own, but another entity’s cells
One may categorize Hursthouse as pro-life because…
She is more restrictive than most pro-choice advocates and believes abortion should be decided on a case-by-case basis
T/F: Benedict argues that our way of doing things is the only way of doing things
False
Rachels criticizes Benedict by stating that the fact that there is cultural disagreement does not mean there is not…
An objective truth
This author is one of the founders of cultural relativism, or the idea that morality differs from culture to culture
Benedict
Why does it matter that the embryo is “complete”?
Because it has its own internally directed growth/path toward full maturity
Women's rights are irrelevant to the abortion debate because…
While exercising a right, one can act immorally/unjustly/(indecently), so no moral actions follow
In the Kwakiutl culture, they saw things through the lens of insult. Therefore, when a man’s sister and niece disappear, he…
Killed seven men and two children, so their families have to grieve instead of him.
Why is it important to be able to criticize other cultures?
Because it is important to be able to condemn harmful practices
This author states that if cultural relativism were true, then there could be no moral progress
Rachels
G + L give two reasons why the immediately exercisable potential for high-level cognitive activity is not a good marker for personhood. What is one of them?
(1) This would make infanticide morally permissible, and it is not. (2) There would be no good justification for “moral egalitarianism,” i.e., to not afford more rights to those who were smarter
The status of the fetus is irrelevant to the abortion debate because…
The exercise of virtue does not require specific, philosophical knowledge, but a knowledge of familiar biological facts
In Menanesian culture, people think a kind/helpful man is ______ because…
Crazy because in their culture, it is common to be suspicious of those not in one’s immediate family
Why is it important to be able to criticize our own culture?
Because if not, then it would be wrong to try to change your own culture
This author discusses three arguments about the embryo and why it constitutes a person
Lee and George
What is the “leaving a baby in the woods” example and what is it supposed to illustrate?
Say a woman is pregnant and is unable to get an abortion or give the child up for adoption or abandon the child where it may be found. Thomson would say that leaving the child in the woods to die is morally acceptable becuase she has not accepted a special relationship with the child. G + L say that it is not okay because she is responsible for the baby simply in virtue of being its mother.
What does Hursthouse think is relevant to the abortion debate?
“Relevant moral considerations” or acting virtuously (exercising virtues, not vices)
Benedict relates “it is morally good” to what other concept?
"It is habitual"
Why is it important that there is moral progress?
Because it is important to evaluate the changes in cultures over time and to have a “right” or moral to strive for.
This author appeals to natural law when arguing against abortion
Pope John Paul II