Assignment:
Goal: The goal of this assignment is for you to come away with a rich understanding of the morally relevant factors surrounding to the ethics of abortion, as well as the ability to think through a difficult issue in an objective fashion (that would make Spock proud) using concepts and techniques developed by philosophical ethicists. The approach and techniques honed while completing this assignment should be available for you to apply to other issues both now and for the rest of your life - it's intentionally designed to encourage and facilitate personal growth.
Assignment: In 6 pages develop and defend an original argument that articulates whether ectogenesis effectively resolves the abortion debate, and why, according to the instructions below.
Paper Structure: To facilitate clarity of expectations and ease of grading, your paper should be double spaced with 1" margins, 12 pt. font, using Times New Roman, Verdana, or Calibri font, and should follow this prescribed structure:
Pages 1 and 2: Using the assigned abortion readings by Noonan, Thomson, Little, Callahan, Hursthouse and Langerak, briefly explain what philosophers have to say about the ethics of abortion (when it's permissible, when it's not permissible, and most importantly -why).
It would be impossible to recount all details of all these articles in two pages. Therefore find a way to organize and categorize the primary lines of thought, while at the same time demonstrating your familiarity with and understanding of the authors' arguments.
Page 3: Using the two articles by Sander-Staudt, Singer and Wells, explain how ectogenesis (or artificial wombs) might effectively resolve the abortion debate, as well as what you consider the two strongest ethical objections against ectogenesis.
Pages 4 and 5: Articulate, develop, unpack and explain an original argument as to whether ectogenesis effectively resolves, or does not resolve, the abortion issue and why. In doing so, consider and effectively respond to at least one philosophical objection to your view.
Page 6: Works Cited: If you draw on any sources beyond readings assigned for the class, individually note the author, article or book title, and provide a hyperlink when appropriate on this final page. You do not need to do this for any course assigned reading, and you do not need to follow any specific formatting guidelines. Instead, spend that mental energy and time writing a quality paper. Do, however, place all direct verbatim quotes within "quote marks," and note in the body of your paper when you are either quoting or drawing on an outside source.
Note that the above prescribed paper format includes no introduction, no conclusion section, no cover page - nothing nonessential. Simply follow the prescribed format above.
Various theories, tools, techniques, distinctions, etc. that you may choose to use in your paper in addition to concepts, reasons and ideas from the abortion article authors:
• Ethical Theories
o Utilitarianism (consequences, happiness, welfare)
o Kantianism (respect, consistency)
o Virtue Ethics (character)
o Feminist Care Ethics (relationships)
• Ethical Reasoning Tools and Techniques
o Argument by Analogy
o Rawls's Veil of Ignorance/Original Position
o Contrasting of Intuitions with Principles to Achieve Reflective Equilibrium
• Ethical Distinctions
o Public vs. Nonpublic Reasons
o Indecent vs. Unjust Actions
o Legality vs. Morality
o Morality vs. Psychology