Moral Thinking about the Embryo–Fetus Period: Reconsidering the Problems of Identity and Existence

Abstract

Our moral thinking sometimes focuses on the possibilities given before birth. However, depending on circumstances, some children might never be brought into the world. The problem is how to consider the viewpoint of such children. In regard to this problem, while Parfit lays stress on the estimation of the state of the world, Steinbock emphasizes the importance of the parental responsibility. However, it seems that the viewpoint of the child itself is still important and not fully covered by these two approaches. Therefore, the best thing we can do now is to go back and forth between these two approaches.

Citation

Yahata, H. (2005), "Moral Thinking about the Embryo–Fetus Period: Reconsidering the Problems of Identity and Existence", Takahashi, T. (Ed.) Taking Life and Death Seriously - Bioethics from Japan (Advances in Bioethics, Vol. 8), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 65-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1479-3709(05)08803-5