Honors College Theses

Publication Date

2024

Major

Philosophy (B.A.)

Document Type and Release Option

Thesis (open access)

Faculty Mentor

Dr. Daniel Larkin

Abstract

In his Nicomachean Ethics, Greek philosopher Aristotle posits an understanding of ethics and how human life is characterized by the “good.” Aristotle argues that (I) ethics involve humans possessing a rational capacity and specific function; (II) ethics are habitual, and the “doctrine of the mean” is used to gauge proper action; and (III) justice is linked to virtue. A moral issue that can be analyzed through Aristotle’s Ethics, as well as works of contemporary philosophers, is abortion. Abortion has been a controversial topic and has been brought before the Supreme Court to determine its morality and legality. Using Aristotle’s Ethics as a foundation, as well as drawing from the works of contemporary philosophers, this thesis will explore hypothetical examples to examine how morality and legality apply to abortion, in that it can be moral but not legal; legal but not moral; both moral and legal; and neither moral nor legal.

Thesis Summary

A Philosophical Look into the Morality and Legality of Abortion

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