Question

When it comes to the topic of abortion and the ethical dilemmas surrounding this topic, how might a utilitarian approach this topic? How might a Kantian ethicist approach this topic? How might a rule theorist approach this topic?

Answer 1

Based upon the topic of abortion, a utilitarian will judge the act based upon whether the consequence of the act is good or bad. That is, the act is morally good if the consequence that it produces is pleasant. Hence, this would be based upon the context. A Kantian focuses on treating people as the ends itself and not means to an end. Hence, one would state that abortion is moral if it fulfills our duties and treats other the way one would want to be treated. A rule theorist would approach this based upon absolute law and not based upon the context.