Lecture 10: Abortion and Personhood

Flashcards covering key concepts related to the philosophical debate about abortion and personhood, based on the lecture notes.

Anti-abortionists

Individuals who believe that human life begins at conception and therefore argue that abortion is wrong because it constitutes murder.

Pro-choice advocates

Individuals who argue that a fetus is not a person until after birth, allowing a woman autonomy over her body.

Personhood

The state or condition of being an individual person; often debated in the context of when a fetus becomes a person.

Justifiable killing

Situations in which killing may be considered acceptable, such as in self-defense.

Innocent person

An individual who has not committed any wrongdoing and whose killing is generally regarded as morally wrong.

Moral significance

The importance of a concept in ethical considerations, such as the wrongness of mistreating non-human animals due to their similarities to persons.

Abortion permissibility

Conditions under which abortion may be considered acceptable, varying by the stage of pregnancy and circumstances surrounding the woman.

Gradual process of personhood

The idea that developing into a fully recognized person occurs over time rather than at a specific moment.

Self-defense

A legal and moral justification for harming another individual to protect oneself from harm.

Pregnant woman's interests

The factors related to the health and well-being of the pregnant woman, which can justify abortion in the early months of pregnancy.