Single Idea 22446

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

Full Idea

In the problem of abortion there is a genuine choice as to whether or not to count as a human being, with the rights of a human being, what would become a human being but is not yet capable of independent life.

Gist of Idea

In the case of something lacking independence, calling it a human being is a matter of choice

Source

Philippa Foot (Morality and Art [1972], p.7)

Book Reference

Foot,Philippa: 'Moral Dilemmas' [OUP 2002], p.7


A Reaction

There must be some basis for the choice. We can't call a dead person a human being. Choosing to call a tiny zygote a human being seems very implausible. Pre-viability strikes me as implausible.

Related Idea

Idea 22445 Morality shows murder is wrong, but not what counts as a murder [Foot]