Against the Golden Rule Argument Against Abortion

  1. David Boonin-Vail

Article first published online: 16 DEC 2002

DOI: 10.1111/1468-5930.00055

Issue

Journal of Applied Philosophy

Journal of Applied Philosophy

Volume 14, Issue 2, pages 187–198, August 1997

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How to Cite

Boonin-Vail, D. (1997), Against the Golden Rule Argument Against Abortion. Journal of Applied Philosophy, 14: 187–198. doi: 10.1111/1468-5930.00055

Author Information

  1. Department of Philosophy, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 16 DEC 2002
  2. Article first published online: 16 DEC 2002

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R. M. Hare and Harry J. Gensler have each argued that abortion can be shown to be immoral by appealing to a version of the golden rule. I argue that both versions of the golden rule argument against abortion should be rejected: each rests on a version of the golden rule which is objectionable on independent grounds, each is unable to support its conclusion when the rule is satisfactorily modified, and each is unable to avoid the implication that contraception is as wrong as abortion and for the same reason. In addition, some further problems particular to each position are identified.

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