ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that if consequentialism is true, then the two thesis: Wrong and Illegal, are true. It argues that consequentialism is true and that if consequentialism is true, then, on average, abortion is wrong. It also argues that if, on average, abortion is wrong, then it should be illegal. The chapter concludes by considering objections from contraception and pregnancy- inducing rape, satisficing, externalities, averagism, and person-affecting morality. Act- consequentialism is the theory that there is a duty to do, and only do, an act that brings about as much good as other act available to the agent. Because consequentialism asserts that the right maximizes the good, this is the good that a consequentialist wants maximized. An abortion is an intentional killing of a fetus and, perhaps, in some cases an intentional letting die. Given the sheer number of abortions, consequentialism entails that in the aggregate, abortion is wrong.
