Liberal View of Hursthouse-Free-Samples-Myassignmenthelp.com

Question: Critically examine the argument presented by Hursthouse for the extreme liberal view. Answer: Hursthouses Liberal View Hursthouses arguments are a reflection on the morality of abortion which has been a topic of discussion in the religious, ethical and medical realms. From the perspective of religion, abortions have been strictly condemned as fetus is given the position of a human being from the very first time of its conception and therefore abortion equals to the concept of homicide only except in crucial medical cases. The churchs take on the argument of abortion has been, however, challenged by a number of feminists and critics, where an overwhelming majority of people are of the opinion that abortion is the sole choice of a woman (Gilbert Sewpaul, 2015). Over the recent times, the discussion of the right to abortion has also been linked with the concept of a democratic state where people expect a minimum liberalism and abolition of circumstances where doctor reject abortions strictly based on their conscience. However, Rosalind Hursthouse, a virtue ethicist who regards abortion as a matter of c rucial importance since it revolves around the termination of a life form growing within a human being (Oakley, 2015). Her arguments are that the status of a fetus growing inside a woman body equals to another part of her body and therefore she has the right to have a say about its fate and has the complete autonomy over it. Hursthouses arguments concerning the liberal view of abortion is compatible with McDonaghs argument where it clearly stated that the choice to abortion is not restricted or dependent upon the nonpersonhood of the foetus. According to this view the choice of abortion is dependent upon none but on the woman and it is the fundamental responsibility of the state to ensure that the women. It is therefore clear that a woman is not supposed to undergo through the period of pregnancy irrespective of her refusals. Her argument blurs the line between an underdeveloped foetus and its status of that of a part of womans boy and a fully developed eight month-old foetus and its status as a human being. It is not feasible to make a distinction to mark the development. Her opinions border around the dilemma regarding abortion. Her main focus is on the virtuosity and ethical concerns of the act more than its legal aspects. Hursthouse claims for the freedom of every woman over the right to her own body and it is only humane to give consent to her decisions and choices. She questions the extreme moral status that the liberals impose upon foetus since it has the potential to grow and develop itself as a fully conscious human being. Hursthouse also refutes the absurd claim that both the ovum and sperm have the potentiality to evolve as a human being but only foetus can completely become one. Hurtshouse like other feminists are of the opinion that a foetus is destined to be linked with its bearers body. She nevertheless criticizes women who executed abortion for unsubstantial reasons and therefore proving themselves as fundamentally casual and trivial-minded. Moreover, I strongly agree with her arguments and comparison of foetus with that of a kidney and the unquestionable authority of the woman over her kidney (Jacobs, 2016). This can be paralleled to her right to foetus and decision regarding the complete development of foetus into a human being. However, at this crucial juncture of argument Hursthouse brings forth the problematic scenario whether the woman at all has the right permit another human being to make changes in her body that might equal to causing potential damages (Hoyle et al., 2016). This denotes to the moral ground of such an action and how far it can be morally permissible for a doctor to perform the act of abortion on her body knowing that the action can paramount to harm. A tint of vagueness is introduced with such a statement but still her arguments form a major portion of contribution to the debate of abortion and have introduced me an entirely new discussion more importantly because of the vast amount of importance it attaches with the concept of abortion and importance of women in the entire process of performing an abortion. Her view on the decision to abort a foetus is fundamental since it questions the basic and traditional notions that some people have regarding the formation of foetus and womans body (Schouten, 2017). Her arguments come as a major breakthrough amidst condescending and regressive religious views which states that the mere act of performing an abortion is an act of evil without considering any other aspects. However, from my personal perspectives I have found her arguments quite lacking on the areas of womens rights. I think she could have elaborated more on womens circumstances under which they have to take the decision of abortion so that it might help to eradicate some of the presupposed views of abortion that a majority of population have. From her arguments, one can gain a socio-economic picture in the light of a womans position in the society and the roles that she is expected to play. She is in support of the fact that a woman may exercise her right to abortion amidst the life experiences that she has to go through, for instance the burden of having a job (Hoyle et al., 2016). The arguments and reading on her views on the extreme liberal views free abortion from its vices and evil angles. In conclusion what I like about the argument presented by Hursthouse is the kaleidoscopic view of abortion that she has taken into consideration that she has presented into her analysis. Her works will be of immense significance for those people who are reclined to consider about abortion under any circumstance and comply within the norms of patriarchy. According to me, in a nutshell her arguments state that although the incident of snapping off a human life is deeply unfortunate nevertheless under certain circumstances it is viable and admissible. I appreciate the structure of her arguments which deviate more from the moral status of the foetus by concentrating more on womens rights and circumstances under which they undergo abortion. Reference List: Briozzo, L. (2016). From risk and harm reduction to decriminalizing abortion: The Uruguayan model for women's rights.International Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics,134(S1). doi/full/10.1016/j.ijgo.2016.06.003 Gilbert, I., Sewpaul, V. (2015). Challenging dominant discourses on abortion from a radical feminist standpoint.Affilia,30(1), 83-95.doi/abs/10.1177/0886109914549232 Halley, J., Kotiswaran, P., Rebouch, R., Shamir, H. (2018).Governance Feminism: An Introduction, 1st edn., pp. 72-300, United States: University of Minnesota Press. Hoyle, R. H., Davisson, E. K., Diebels, K. J., Leary, M. R. (2016). Holding specific views with humility: Conceptualization and measurement of specific intellectual humility.Personality and Individual Differences,97, 165-172. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0191886916301970 Jacobs, N. (2016).On the Viability of a Virtue Ethics Approach to Bioethics(Master's thesis). Retrieved from file:///C:/Users/user/Downloads/Master%20thesis%20Naomi%20Jacobs%20-%20Research%20Master%20Philosophy%20Utrecht%20University.pdf Manninen, B. A. (2015). The replaceable fetus: A reflection on abortion and disability.Disability Studies Quarterly,35(1). doi.org/10.18061/dsq.v35i1.3239 Oakley, J. (2015). A virtue ethics perspective on bioethics.Bioethics Update,1(1), 41-53. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2395938X15000066?via%3Dihub Schouten, G. (2017). Fetuses, Orphans, and a Famous Violinist: On the Ethics and Politics of Abortion.Social Theory and Practice,43(3), 637-665.