Posted by simon busse on November 08, 19100 at 14:50:05:

In Reply to: i need insights on Kant and abortion! posted by erin on November 07, 19100 at 22:53:20:

: Does anyone out there have any idea what Kant's ideas and thoughts on abortion would be?
: I have to do a paper on this. I have to develop an argument. PLease help!!! anyone!!!

As far as I know, I don't think Kant directly addresses that as a topic, considering the time in which he was writing in (ie that would have not been so common, and probably done in secret). With that being said though, you should look to his Second Critique to his discussions about the moral agent and how we should treat people as ends in themselves and not simply means, etc. This could probably be used for a pro-life stance. On the flipside, and perhaps this is not only more philosophical (in the everyday sense of the word) but perhaps a stronger arguement also, and that is...
although the fetus has some future rights to self-freedom, et cetera, if it was the case that the child would be severely handicapped to the point where self-consciousness would be impossible or their freedom to take control of their Being was nil, then perhaps Kant would argue pro-choice. Of course this is all speculative, and although his writings reflect the restrictions of his time (from Church and State) many feel that he really wanted to go beyond these.

Hope this helps for now.

Follow Ups:

Post a Followup