Study Guide:
John T. Noonan Jr. - Abortion is Morally Wrong
1. What objections does Noonan make to using viability as a basis for humanity?
2. What objections does Noonan make to using experience as a basis for humanity?
3. What objections does Noonan make to using the feelings or sentiments of
adults as a basis for humanity?
4. What objections does Noonan make to using social visibility/recognition
as a basis for humanity?
5. Why does Noonan discuss the probability that a spermatozoon or ovum will
become a zygote versus the probability that the zygote will fully develop?
What does Noonan think this shows, if anything?
6. Where does Noonan draw the line between being human and non-human? What
implications does this have?
7. Does Noonan recognize any cases where the rights of the fetus may be justifiably
overridden?