Deck 9: Defining Abortion and Critiquing Common Arguments About Abortion

Question 1

In their essay, Nathan Nobis and Kristina Grob define abortion because having a good definition helps us to make progress when talking about this issue. What is another moral issue where you think it's important to have a good definition of a key word? In your essay, list at least three definitions of the term you've identified. Then, analyze these definitions in the way that Nobis and Grob do. Are there any definitions that are either question-begging or vague? How would having a clear definition of this term help to improve conversation about the issue that you've chosen?

Answer 1

Identify a moral issue where having a key definition of some key concept is important.
Offer a few possible definitions for this term, examining them to see if they are question-begging, vague, or problematic in some other way.
Discuss the importance of having a clear definition for this term, perhaps comparing it to the importance of having a clear definition of "abortion" in the abortion debate.

Question 2

When you hear conversations about abortion, what arguments do you hear the most? Would Nathan Nobis and Kristina Grob think that these arguments are problematic? If so, what might you say the next time you end up in a conversation about abortion? If not, what kind of progress do you think we could make if we discussed arguments like this one?

Answer 2

Outline a few arguments that the author has commonly heard surrounding the abortion issue.
Analyze these arguments to see if they are question-begging or poor for other reasons, drawing from Nobis and Grob's essay where appropriate.
If the author identifies a sound argument, the essay should discuss the way in which progress can be made by forwarding such an argument.

Question 3

In their "Everyday Arguments" section, Nathan Nobis and Kristina Grob list a number of popular arguments that they say are poor arguments about abortion. Still, there are plenty of people who spend a lot of time in making arguments like these. In your essay, pick one of these everyday arguments and develop a response to Nobis and Grob. Imagine that you are defending this position-what else could you say to support this argument? Is there more to say about this argument that Nobis and Grob don't capture in their essay? Or is there a way to improve this argument so that Nobis and Grob's criticism doesn't work anymore?

Answer 3

Pick one argument from the "Everyday Arguments" section of Nobis and Grob's essay.
Develop and defend this argument, being responsive to the critique that Nobis and Grob offer.

Question 4

Which definition of abortion do Nobis and Grob think is best?

A) An abortion is the intentional termination of a fetus to end a pregnancy
B) An abortion is the intentional killing of a fetus to end a pregnancy
C) An abortion is the death of a human fetus
D) An abortion is the murder of an unborn baby or child
E) An abortion is the unintentional murder of a fetus to end a pregnancy

Question 5

Which of the following is best fits the definition of "murder"?

A) Any killing of a person
B) Killing of an innocent person
C) Illegal killing
D) Intentional killing
E) Wrongful killing

Question 6

What do Nobis and Grob say about the word "termination" with respect to abortion?

A) It is the word that should be used when describing abortion
B) It is a helpful word to start with
C) It is question-begging
D) It is contentious and value-laden
E) It is vague and uninformative

Question 7

What does it mean for an argument to be question-begging?

A) The reason given for the conclusion assumes that conclusion
B) The reason given for one premise is an unanswerable question
C) The reason given for the conclusion is a demanding question
D) The reason given for one premise appeals to one's emotions
E) The arguer begins by begging to ask a question

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT an example of a question-begging argument?

A) Abortion is a personal choice
B) Women and girls will die if abortion isn't allowed
C) Some women who have abortions feel guilty, and all should
D) Adoption is a better option than abortion
E) Those who oppose abortions just want to control women

Question 9

What do Nobis and Grob have to say about the argument, "if you don't like abortions, then don't have one!"

A) It is a good and praiseworthy argument
B) It helps to show the importance of empathy
C) It is not really an argument about abortion
D) It is insensitive to pro-abortion advocates
E) It assumes that abortion is not wrong

Question 10

What do Nobis and Grob have to say about the argument, "life begins at conception."

A) It isn't true that fetuses are alive
B) Fetuses being alive does not make abortion wrong
C) Life is the most important moral attribute
D) Fetuses are alive, which makes killing them wrong
E) It is difficult to determine with certainty when life begins

Question 11

When does the term "innocence" apply to some being, according to Nobis and Grob?

A) When that being is shown to be morally praiseworthy
B) When that being is not proven guilty of immorality
C) When that being can do wrong and chooses not to
D) When that being can do no wrong but can be wronged
E) When that being lacks guile or corruption

Question 12

What do Nobis and Grob say about the relationship between law and religion?

A) Laws should not be based on any particular religion
B) Laws should be informed by widespread religions
C) It is difficult to know what relationship religion should have to the law
D) Religions should be the foundation of all laws
E) Religions should not be allowed under the law

Question 13

What do Nobis and Grob have to say about the argument, "men shouldn't make decisions about matters affecting women?"

A) Because of their impartial perspective, men should make most all decisions about matters affecting women
B) Because of the history of the patriarchy, men should not be allowed to make decisions that exert power over women
C) Someone's sex or gender is very important in deciding whether they can make good arguments about matters that affect them and others
D) Someone's sex or gender is only important in deciding whether they can make good arguments if the arguments are related to sex and gender
E) Someone's sex or gender has little to no bearing on whether they can make good arguments about matters that affect them or anyone else