Consequentialism And Deontology

While consequentialist logic forges a conceptual link between right action and consequences, deontological logic forges a conceptual link between right action and a moral rule. This paper will take the position that virtue ethics avoids the drawbacks of both consequentialism and deontology, and therefore provides us with the best response to the question of abortion. In order to do so, this paper will proceed three-fold. First, this paper will defend one consequentialist argument for abortion, using a thought experiment to illustrate the point. Subsequently, this paper will consider one reply from a deontological point of view. Lastly, this paper will show how virtue ethics is able to avoid the drawbacks of both the traditional approaches by reformulating the abortion question. A consequentialist argument premised on utility justifies having an abortion. Indeed, general consequentialist logic is founded on the proposition that, “an action is right iff it promote the best consequences.” The consequentialist logic varies insofar as there are different responses to the question, “What are the best consequences?” To limit the scope of this paper, this paper will use an act utilitarian …show more content…
Alice is an 18-year-old girl, who finished top of her class in high school and has chosen to enlist herself in the military of her country. For the sake of the thought experiment, Alice is a dedicated girl who meets the essential qualities of what is required for a female soldier in the army of her country. Before Alice’s term begins, Alice unintentionally becomes pregnant and would have to begin her military term pregnant. According to consequentialist logic, Alice could justifiably have an abortion if this promotes the best consequences. Since we have applied an act utilitarian interpretation of “best consequences,” Alice’s abortion could be justified if it would maximize