Abortion

Question 1

Rule utilitarianism

Answer 1

If you ban abortion, the greatest number is clearly going to increase. If you focus on quantitive terms (greatest happiness), individual liberty for women is increased, more happiness.

Question 2

Preference utilitarianism

Answer 2

Parents might have a clear preference NOT to have a handicapped child, but a foetus up to about 18 weeks old can’t be said to have any preferences at all.

Question 3

Deontology

Answer 3

Abortions are wrong. It is the duty of the parent to care for their child. We should treat everyone as ends in themselves, not as a means to an end.

Question 4

Virtue theory

Answer 4

Emphasise meaning of birth and abortion in human life. There may be virtuous motives for having an abortion. Completely depends on the motives.

Question 5

Act utilitarianism

Answer 5

Does the abortion create more happiness than giving birth? Each situation can be assessed individually.