more from Peter Singer

Single Idea 20284

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

Full Idea

A prince may be a potential king, but he does not have the rights of a king. Why should a potential person have the rights of a person?

Gist of Idea

Why should a potential person have the rights of an actual person?

Source

Peter Singer (Practical Ethics [1979], 06)

Book Reference

Singer,Peter: 'Practical Ethics' [CUP 1989], p.120


A Reaction

But the prince is probably accorded special rights, merely on the grounds that he is the potential king. An unborn potential king is always considered as special.