1. ABORTION By: Ronald F. White, Ph.D. Professor of Philosophy
College of Mount St. Joseph

2. Factors Influencing Debate
Scientific Factors
Advancement Biological Science
Advancement in Technology
Economic Factors
Social Factors
Political Factors

3. How to Argue About Abortion
Legality of Abortion v. Morality of Abortion
Morality of Abortion
Teleological Arguments
Egoism-
Utilitarianism-
Deontological Arguments
Divine Command
Rights-Based

4. Strategy 1. Arguments Concerning the Moral Status of the Fetus
Persons and the Moral Universe
Persons and Property
Undoubted Persons and Undoubted Non-Persons
Hard Cases: fetuses, comatose, animals
Descriptive Personhood (Scientific)
Consciousness
Sentience
Self Awareness
Intelligence
Prescriptive Personhood: (Legal or Moral)
Species Criterion
Potentiality Criterion
Graduated Potentiality
Actual Possession Criterion

5. Strategy 2: Utilitarian Arguments
Social Costs and Benefits
Consequences for:
Women
Men
Fetuses
Community
Health Care System
Welfare System
Monitoring and Enforcement of Anti-Abortion Legislation (Black Markets)

6. Strategy 3. Rights-Based Arguments
The Plugged in Violinist
Beneficence and Non-Maleficence
Voluntariness and Self-Defense
Rape
Incest
Save Life of Mother
Economic Reasons

7. Small Group Discussion Questions
Are early abortions (during the first trimester) morally preferable to late abortions (during the second or third trimester)? Is infanticide ever morally justifiable?
Is abortion ever morally justified? If so, under what conditions? Discuss the justifiability of each of of the following conditions
Rape
Incest
Contraceptive Failure
Save the Life of the Mother
Save the Health of the Mother
Save the Economic Health of the Mother (or Family).
Severe Genetic Deformity of the Fetus: anencephaly, Tay Sach's Disease, Down Syndrome,
Multiple Births
Which of the following legal restrictions on abortion are morally justifiable?
Parental Consent Laws-Should women under the age of 18 be required by law to present evidence that her mother or father has given consent for an abortion? 
Spousal Consent Laws-Should married women be required by law to present evidence that her spouse has been notified of a planned abortion? Should unmarried  women be required by law to present evidence that the father of the fetus has been informed?  
Informed Consent Laws-  Should women be compelled by law to told specific information about abortion procedures beyond safety and effectiveness: fetal development etc.
24 Hour Waiting Period Laws- Should women be compelled by law to wait 24 hours after being provided abortion-related information?
The Morning After Pill –Should it be legal? Prescription? Over-the-Counter, Over-18?