A Different Understanding of Personhood as it Relates to the Abortion Debate

Abstract

Personhood is an important discussion in many moral issues, most notably in the debate on abortion. The majority of thinkers have placed emphasis on intellect and cognitive reasoning to separate humans from other animals. Rationality is used to determine the worth of the fetus. In the case of the mother it is evident to be a rational being and the fetus at least has the potential to be rational. This kind of thinking often puts the mother and the unborn child in direct conflict. Some philosophers claim this is an unnatural and masculine solution to a primarily feminist issue. Other components to the human experience, primarily human interaction and relations should be considered in understanding personhood and discussing the abortion debate.