Patrick Lee And Robert P. George's The Wrong Of Abortion

Patrick Lee and Robert P. George’s, “The Wrong of Abortion” is a contentious composition that argues the choice of abortion is objectively unethical. Throughout their composition, Lee and George use credibility and reason to appeal the immorality of abortions. The use of these two methods of persuasion are effective and compels the reader to consider the ethical significance. Lee and George construct their argument by disputing different theories that would justify abortions. They challenge the ontological and evaluation theories of the fetus, as well as the unintentional killing theory. This article was obtained through Google, in the form of a PDF file that is associated with Iowa State University.
“What is killed in an abortion” is a central question in

the abortion debate. This is question is an important aspect because it gives Lee and George’s perspective on why abortion is an immoral act.
Therefore, Lee and George initiate their argument by stating that the human embryo is indeed a human being. According to Lee and George, embryology texts specify that in sexual reproduction the life of an individual begins with complete fertilization. The fact that Lee and George uses embryological evidence makes them sound more credible. To emphasize entity of the embryo George and Lee states that the fetus has a complete heart and brain between eight to ten weeks. Lee and George also dispute opposing arguments that suggest the embryo is not a human being. For example, embryos are often compared to sex cells and somatic cells, such as skin and muscle cells. However, Lee and George challenges this claim by stating that those objections are false, “like sex cells, a somatic cell is functionally only a part of a larger organism” (Lee and George 14). Attacking opposing objections makes them appear to be more plausible as well.
Although, Lee and George are adamant that the human embryo is in fact, a human being;
defenders of abortion justify this claim. Lee and George call this argument “the dualist version.”
Sometimes, it is argued that human beings in the embryonic stage are not persons because embryonic human beings do not exercise higher mental capacities or functions. Certain defenders of abortions (and infanticide) have argued that in order to be a person, an entity must be self-aware. They then claim that, because human embryos and fetuses (and infants) have not yet developed self-awareness, they are not persons (Lee and George 15).
By stating that an infant does not have self-awareness would contradict “dualist version” argument.

It can be concluded that one would not kill an infant due to it lacking self-awareness, therefore Lee and George makes an effective point through the use of logic.
Furthermore, Lee and George then dispute another argument, which they call “the evaluative version.” This arguments contends that a fetus becomes valuable and bearers of rights during a later time. Lee and George dispute various scenarios in this version. For example, Judith Thomson supported abortion by comparing the right to life with the right to vote. Lee and George attacks Thomson objection by stating
We can begin to see the error in this view by considering Thomson’s comparison of the right to life with the right to vote. Thomson fails to advert the fact that some rights vary with respect to place, circumstances, maturity, ability and other factors, while other rights do not. We recognize that one's right to life does not vary with place as does one’s right to vote…. But to have the right to life is have moral status at all (Lee and George 17).
Lee and George attacks the credibility of Thomson by disputing her argument with a logical

explanation.
Defenders also believe that a fetus lacks value simply because it does not have the capacity for higher mental functions. Lee and George then compares the value of fetus to the value of a six-week old baby. According to Lee and George, a six-week old baby lacks the exercisable capacity to perform human mental functions. Given this example, “one would be logically committed to view that, subject to parental approval, human infants could be disposed of as well” (Lee and George 18). Again Lee and George uses the characteristic and abilities of an infant to convey that a human embryo is a human being whose life should be valued even at an early stage.
Pro-choice individuals of abortion have attempted to justify abortion by denying that all abortions are intentional killing. In effect, they argue that abortion is the choice to not provide the child with assistance. Lee and George refer to this as the “bodily rights argument.” “There is a significant moral difference between not doing something that would assist someone, and doing something that causes someone harm..Abortion is the act of extracting the unborn human being from the womb - an extraction that usually rips him or her into pieces or does him or her violence in some other way” (Lee and George 21). Although pregnancy may be a burden, death is an irreversible act. Lee and George believe that adoption would be the best option.
The fact that Lee and George dispute various arguments builds assurance. Attacking the credibility of other objections were an important aspect because its make Lee and George more reliable. Lee and George utilize credibility and reason throughout their argument on the ethical signifance of abortions. The use of these methods allows them to give insight on their perspective sufficiently. Overall, the methods make their argument effective which makes them more plausible and genuine.
After reading Lee and George’s outlook on abortions, my opinion on the subject did not change. However, the article did make valid points and compelled me to understand their perspective more effectively. It made me consider the true definition of a fetus. I do agree that a human embryo has value, however I do not think abortions are entirely wrong. In my opinion, I believe that abortions can be justified in some cases. Although I do not agree with everything that was stated it was an effective article, and could possibly convince readers to consider the immoral aspects of abortions.