Description
Book SynopsisMoving 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 divi
Trade ReviewHere, 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 *
Table of ContentsPART 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
