Against the golden rule argument against abortion.
R.M. Hare and Harry J. Gensler have each argued that abortion can be shown to be immoral by appealing to a version of the golden rule. I argue that both versions of the golden rule argument against abortion should be rejected: each rests on a version of the golden rule which is objectionable on independent grounds, each is unable to support its conclusion when the rule is satisfactorily modified, and each is unable to avoid the implication that contraception is as wrong as abortion and for the same reason. In addition, some further problems particular to each position are identified.
Boonin-Vail
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Department of Philosophy, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA. booninvl@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000941:ethics*; D003267:Contraception / Q000941:ethics; D026689:Ethical Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010684:Philosophy; D011247:Pregnancy