Single Idea 4131

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / F. Life Issues / 3. Abortion]

Full Idea

Few women see a spontaneous abortion or early miscarriage as the same thing as having a child who is stillborn or who dies very soon after birth.

Gist of Idea

Most women see an early miscarriage and a late stillbirth as being very different in character

Source

Bernard Williams (Ethics and the Limits of Philosophy [1985], Ch. 6)

Book Reference

Williams,Bernard: 'Ethics and the Limits of Philosophy' [Fontana 1985], p.112


A Reaction

This implies a theory about the nature of what is lost. Everyone sees the difference between potential and actual.