Don Marquis

Definition

Don Marquis is a prominent philosopher known for his influential arguments regarding the moral status of fetuses and the ethics of abortion. He is best known for his 'future like ours' argument, which posits that killing is wrong primarily because it deprives individuals of a valuable future. This perspective connects directly to debates on reproductive rights and assisted reproductive technologies by providing a philosophical framework for discussing the morality of abortion and the implications for both the fetus and society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Marquis argues that the primary reason killing is wrong is not simply because it harms the individual who is killed but because it deprives them of a future full of experiences, activities, and projects.
2. His 'future like ours' argument has been used to support anti-abortion positions, as it suggests that fetuses, like adults, have the potential for valuable futures.
3. Marquis challenges other philosophical views on abortion by asserting that the moral status of the fetus should be based on its potential future rather than its current developmental stage.
4. He distinguishes between killing and other forms of harm, emphasizing that killing is unique in its irreversible deprivation of future value.
5. Marquis’s views have sparked extensive debate within philosophical and legal circles, influencing how reproductive rights are discussed in relation to both ethical theories and practical policy.

Review Questions

• How does Don Marquis’s 'future like ours' argument provide a foundation for discussions about the morality of abortion?
  • Marquis's 'future like ours' argument posits that killing is wrong primarily because it deprives individuals of a future filled with valuable experiences. This framework raises questions about the moral status of fetuses, suggesting they possess potential futures similar to those of adults. As a result, this perspective becomes central to discussions about abortion ethics, challenging those who argue against the moral consideration of fetuses based on their current developmental stage.
• What implications does Marquis’s argument have on the concept of personhood in relation to reproductive rights?
  • Marquis's argument complicates traditional notions of personhood by suggesting that moral consideration should be based on potential future value rather than established criteria like consciousness or viability. This means that even if a fetus does not meet conventional definitions of personhood, it still holds significant moral weight due to its capacity for a future similar to that of existing persons. This re-framing impacts reproductive rights debates by asserting that fetuses deserve ethical consideration during discussions about abortion and related technologies.
• Evaluate how Marquis’s philosophy interacts with contemporary debates surrounding assisted reproductive technologies and their ethical implications.
  • Marquis's philosophy adds depth to contemporary debates on assisted reproductive technologies by highlighting concerns about the potential futures of embryos created through these methods. His emphasis on future value prompts critical discussions about the ethical treatment of embryos in processes such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and genetic manipulation. By raising questions about whether discarding or using embryos for research might deprive them of futures filled with value, Marquis's views encourage advocates and critics alike to reflect on the moral dimensions associated with assisted reproduction.

Related terms

Future Like Ours: An ethical concept proposed by Don Marquis that suggests the wrongness of killing lies in depriving an individual of a future filled with value and experiences.

Personhood: The philosophical and legal status of being a person, which often involves discussions about when an individual acquires rights and moral consideration, particularly relevant to debates about abortion.

Reproductive Rights: The legal rights and freedoms relating to reproduction and reproductive health, including access to contraception, abortion, and assisted reproductive technologies.