Singer's Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism: Singer’s Double Edged Sword Abortion poses no ethical risk to humanity. Hence why there are strong supporters of abortion, such as Peter Singer. In his work, “Taking Life: The Embryo and the Fetus,” he favors of the ethics of abortion through his utilitarian views. That is, if the argument is seen through the lens of Prior Existence Utilitarianism. Undoubtedly, this is due to its counterpart: Total Utilitarianism. Notably, this type of utilitarianism undermines the argument, devolving it into an all or none situation. Meaning, if the world is overpopulated, all fetuses should be aborted. Whereas if the world is underpopulated, no abortions, let alone contraceptives, should be allowed. Therefore, Prior Existence Utilitarianism

Essentially, to a Total Utilitarian, this means that it is ethically unsound to abort any fetus “because anyone who kills a human fetus deprives the world of a future rational and self-conscious being” (Singer 154). An abortion would equate to diminishing the maximum potential of future people. While some may agree with this point of view, there are greater ramifications from Total Utilitarianism. Rejection of modern day contraception would be commonplace, reproduction would be mandatory for all physically able, and any resources available must be geared towards generating a greater population. Consequently, “if the world is already overpopulated the argument provides no reason against abortion at all” (Singer 155). Total Utilitarian views now shift dramatically condoning all the things previously rejected. Abstinence would be celebrated, contraceptives mandated, and resources shifted to population control, i.e. abortions. Due to its ability to fluctuate between the extremes, it invalidates the argument regarding abortion in either

As established earlier, he is in favor of abortion rejecting the first premise of the original argument. Additionally, he justifies his support of abortion with Prior Existence Utilitarian views. Once again, it is important to make that clarification since Total Utilitarian views dismantle his argument entirely. Under Total Utilitarian circumstances, the topic results in the extremes of constant reproduction or absolute population control. Overall, Singer is in favor of justifiable abortion, yet can only validate the argument through Prior Existence