The moral significance of birth
Article Abstract:
Recent work in developmental psychology suggests that birth should be regarded as a morally significant event. Thus, the continuity thesis that denies any morally relevant distinction between the fetus and the neonate should be rejected. The continuity thesis is used to argue that abortion and infanticide are equivalent, for example. Research such as the Meltzoff and Moore imitation experiment suggests, however, that newborn infants have a primitive form of self-awareness that is not present in full-term foetuses. If self-consciousness is morally relevant, then a degree of moral significance is conferred on the newborn by this primitive capacity.
Publication Name: Ethics
Subject: Philosophy and religion
ISSN: 0014-1704
Year: 1996
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The necessity of moral judgments
Article Abstract:
Judith Thomson in 'The Realm of Rights' attempts to refute a position she terms 'the no-reason thesis,' which might be construed as either moral nonrealism or skepticism, by showing that some moral judgments are necessarily true. However, she succeeds only in showing that some moral judgments are necessary, not that they are necessarily true, and necessary moral judgments are compatible with moral nonrealism. Reasons for moral judgments are not equivalent to reasons that moral judgments are true. Furthermore, Thomson's argument against the thesis that moral judgments cannot be derived from statements of fact does not count against nonrealism.
Publication Name: Ethics
Subject: Philosophy and religion
ISSN: 0014-1704
Year: 1993
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Coping with moral conflict and ambiguity
Article Abstract:
Serious moral conflict can even occur within communities that share basic moral principles and so there is a need to recognize the value of accommodation. Principles of accommodation include acting to maintain relationships with those in opposing moral positions, directing energies to issues in which agreement is possible, rejecting top-down derivation of moral positions from general principles and being willing to bridge differences. Virtues such as creativity and resourcefulness contribute to the ability to accommodate, but willingness to accommodate should be based on the others' willingness to reciprocate.
Publication Name: Ethics
Subject: Philosophy and religion
ISSN: 0014-1704
Year: 1992
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