Based on a non-consequentialist ethical theory, this book critically examines the prevalent view that if a fetus has the moral standing of a person, it has a right to life and abortion is impermissible. Most discussion of abortion has assumed that this view is correct, and so has focused on the question of the personhood of the fetus. Kamm begins by considering in detail the permissibility of killing in non-abortion cases which are similar to abortion cases. She goes on to consider the case for the permissibility of abortion in many types of pregnancies, including ones resulting from rape, voluntary pregnancy, and pregnancy resulting from a voluntary sex act, even if the fetus is considered a person. This argument emerges as part of a broader theory of creating new people responsibly. Kamm explores the implications of this argument for informed consent to abortion; responsibilities in pregnancy that is not aborted, and the significance of extra-uterine gestation devices for
the permissibility of abortion.
Industry Reviews
"Brilliant....This brief summary cannot do justice to the richness of Kamm's...sophisticated and exciting discussion of a neglected aspect of the abortion debate."--Journal of Medical Ethics
"[A] major contribution..to the literature of philosophical bioethics, and all libraries collecting in and scholars working in this area need to have [a] cop[y]....Required reading for all those interested in the theoretical issues raised by bioethical problems."--Medical Humanities Review
"Rigorous, penetrating, and subtle throughout and Kamm is impressively fair in her willingness to take seriously a variety of considerations that are too readily dismissed by idealogues on one side or the other in this often polarized debate. Hers is, I believe, the best book on abortion."--Philosophy and Public Affairs
"Kamm's well-written and closely argued book has considerably broader application than the abortion and creation issues....It is one of the few books to examine the relations between procreation and abortion rights and 'non-abortion' issues involving killing and letting die....An important and informative philosophical treatise on rights and moral responsibility....Highly recommended for libraries serving graduate programs in philosophy and/or health care
policy."--Choice
"Kamm is probably the most sophisticated deontologist writing on normative issues today....A major contribution to the literature."--Shelly Kagan, University of Illinois at Chicago
"Brilliant....This brief summary cannot do justice to the richness of Kamm's...sophisticated and exciting discussion of a neglected aspect of the abortion debate."--Journal of Medical Ethics
"[A] major contribution..to the literature of philosophical bioethics, and all libraries collecting in and scholars working in this area need to have [a] cop[y]....Required reading for all those interested in the theoretical issues raised by bioethical problems."--Medical Humanities Review
"Rigorous, penetrating, and subtle throughout and Kamm is impressively fair in her willingness to take seriously a variety of considerations that are too readily dismissed by idealogues on one side or the other in this often polarized debate. Hers is, I believe, the best book on abortion."--Philosophy and Public Affairs
"Kamm's well-written and closely argued book has considerably broader application than the abortion and creation issues....It is one of the few books to examine the relations between procreation and abortion rights and 'non-abortion' issues involving killing and letting die....An important and informative philosophical treatise on rights and moral responsibility....Highly recommended for libraries serving graduate programs in philosophy and/or health care
policy."--Choice
"Kamm is probably the most sophisticated deontologist writing on normative issues today....A major contribution to the literature."--Shelly Kagan, University of Illinois at Chicago
"Kamm offers a densely written and challenging book, with intricate and often ingenious arguments, and generally proceeds with rigor and inventiveness."--Constitutional Commentary
"The arguments are thorough, rigorous and original."--The Philosophical Review
"A major contribution to the abortion debate....It is written in clear, nontechnical...English, and ought to be accessible to every intelligent reader."--Hastings Center Report
"Meticulous and exhaustive argumentation."--Ethics
