Abortion: At the still point of the turning conscientious objection debate

Elliott Louis Bedford

HEC Forum
HEC Forum

Abstract
Abortion is the central issue in the conscientious objection debate. In this article I demonstrate why this is so for two philosophical viewpoints prominent in American culture. One, represented by Patrick Lee and Robert P. George, holds that the fundamental moral value of being human can be found in bare life and the other, represented by Tom Beauchamp and James Childress, holds that this fundamental value is found in the life that can choose and determine itself. First, I articulate Lee and George’s philosophical theory and demonstrate how the fundamental moral value of their theory, personhood, is represented in the issue of abortion. Second, I examine Beauchamp and Childress’ theoretical vision and demonstrate how their fundamental moral value, the right to autonomous selfdetermination, is represented in abortion. Third, I sketch the theoretical and practical dynamics of the conscientious objection debate as well as each author’s understanding of conscience. Fourth, I demonstrate how abortion, which represents their respective fundamental value, shapes each perspectives’ approach to the conscientious objection debate. I conclude that because each theory finds its fundamental value represented in the issue of abortion, each perspective is bound to engage the conscientious objection debate in a way that centers on the issue of abortion.


Bedford EL. Abortion: At the still point of the turning conscientious objection debate. HEC Forum. 2012;24(2):63-82.

(Correspondence) Conscientious Autonomy: What Patients Do vs. What Is Done to Them

Tom L Beauchamp

The Hastings Center Report
The Hastings Center Report

Extract
To bring out what I see as the most plausible interpretation of Kukla’s article, I recast her main point as follows (though I am not optimistic that she would accept this restatement): The received view in bioethics is commonly interpreted so that autonomy occurs exclusively through discrete informed consents to medical procedures. However, this vision of autonomy is too narrow. Autonomy is also expressed through stable, enduring, and committed acceptance of medical practices. Kukla rightly points out that this account must be rounded by a rich understanding of medical practices together with a model of the virtue of conscientiousness in upholding the practices, principles, regimes, and values adopted.


Beauchamp TL. (Correspondence) Conscientious Autonomy: What Patients Do vs. What Is Done to Them. Hastings Cent. Rep.. 2005;September-October):5-6.