The Moral Permissibility of Abortion

The topic of abortion is highly contentious in both political and religious spheres, however, contained within both fields is the philosophical question of whether or not abortion is morally permissible. This also begs the question: what is the right to life, and why is it wrong to kill? Philosophers Don Marquis and Judith Thomson discuss these two questions separately, yet both provide influential insight into the moral permissibility or impermissibility of abortion. In this essay I will first outline definitions that are crucial to this discussion, secondly, I will outline Marquis' future-like-ours argument. Third, I will analyze Thomson’s defense of abortion, next, I will discuss the strengths of Thomson’s work in comparison to Marquis, to finally argue that Thomson provides an expansive, and definitive answer to the question of the permissibility of abortion. Finally, I will conclude by arguing that abortion is morally permissible, in scenarios in which they are morally justified.