Study Guide
Gerald Paske - Abortion and the Neo-Natal Right to Life

1. Paske asks "Why is it that a future-like-ours is the one that counts and not--say--the future of a pig or cow?" What does Paske answer? How/Why is Paske's answer to this question a challenge to Marquis?
2. What is Paske's explanation of why psychological characteristics (or states) make a moral difference (or have moral importance)?
3. Why does Paske think that killing is wrong? Does he agree/disagree with Marquis on this point? Why/why not?
4. What point is Paske trying to make in giving the example of the kitten who is injected with person-serum?
5. Other than having a right to life as a result of being a person, how else does Paske think one might acquire a right to life?
6. As Paske uses the phrase, what is a right to care?
7. According to Paske, what are the intrinisic sources of the fetus' right to care? Explain each.
8. What does Paske say about a possible species bias in locating a fetus' right to care in its genetic humanness?
9. According to Paske, what are the relational sources of the fetus' right to care? Explain each.
10. Does Paske believe that abortion to save the mother's life is morally permissible?
11. What sort of rights do newborns and young infants have, according to Paske?