Term
| Warren distinguishes between two meanings |
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Definition
of human:
Human (genetic sense) – something that possesses DNA that falls within the human genome.
Human (moral sense) – a full-fledged member of the moral community. |
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Term
| If something has human DNA, then is it a full-fledged member of the moral community? |
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Definition
Nope – Here are some things that are genetically human but not full fledged members of the moral community:
Corpses
Dead Skin Cells
Tumors |
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Term
| Five Traits Providing Evidence of Personhood |
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Definition
Consciousness/Sentience
Reasoning –
Self-Realized Agency –
Capacity to Communicate – Self-Awareness – |
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Term
| Consciousness/Sentience – |
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Definition
| the capacity of being aware of things/events external and/or internal to the being (including the ability to feel pain). |
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Term
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Definition
| the capacity to solve new and complex problems. |
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Term
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Definition
| the capacity to regulate one’s own actions. |
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Term
| Capacity to Communicate – |
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Definition
| the ability to send and receive an indefinite variety of messages. |
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Term
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Definition
| Having the concept of oneself. |
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Term
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
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Term
| 3 out of 5 (especially if they are 1,2 and 3) |
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Definition
| very likely to be a person; |
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Term
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Definition
| maybe a person, but definitely less person-like than those with more; |
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Term
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
| definitely not a person – BBQ time! |
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Term
Warren’s Argument for the Permissibility of Abortion
premise 1 |
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Definition
| If something lacks all of the traits (1-5), then that thing is not a person. |
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Term
Warren’s Argument for the Permissibility of Abortion
premise 2 |
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Definition
| If something is not a person, then it is permissible to kill that thing. |
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Term
Warren’s Argument for the Permissibility of Abortion
premise 3 |
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Definition
| So, if something lacks traits (1-5), then it is permissible to kill that thing (1,2 hypothetical syllogism). |
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Term
Warren’s Argument for the Permissibility of Abortion
premise 4 |
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Definition
| Fetuses (even those close to the end of term) lack those traits. |
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Term
| Conclusion for Warren’s Argument for the Permissibility of Abortion |
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Definition
| Therefore, it is permissible to abort a fetus (3,4 modus ponens and the definition of abortion). |
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Term
| Objections that Warren Considers |
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Definition
potential persons
infanticide |
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Term
| What about potential persons? Might it not be the case that we are morally required to allow potential persons to develop into actual persons? |
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Definition
| we are not morally required to allow potential persons to develop into actual persons. |
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Term
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Definition
| biting the bullet. will have to read? |
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