Notice Board

The Department of Philosophy Colloquium Series presents:

"Reproductive Rights and Disability Advocacy"

Speaker: Connor Leflar (Department of Philosophy)
Thursday, March 27 | 5 - 6:30 p.m.
University Hall C610

Abstract: How can we reconcile the specific moral tension that arises when we are confronted by two irreconcilable beliefs regarding abortion? We wish to maintain that the right to choose is absolute, but we also argue against the decision to abort made on the basis of disability. These two positions appear intractable, but I argue that we can hold both positions simultaneously in our continued advocacy for reproductive and disability justice. I draw on Rosalind Pollack Petchesky’s argument regarding abortion as an instance of moral praxis, coupled with the expressivist argument made by disability scholars and advocates to show that the moral praxis approach is superior to other theoretical positions in its ability to overcome this particular moral tension. I argue that adopting the moral praxis approach in our continued advocacy for both reproductive and disability rights allows us to account for the historical injustices that disabled persons have faced through the societal adoption of eugenic logic, while maintaining the inviolability of the right to choose. This approach gives us the foundation for progressive action that can lead to real change and the continued pursuit of justice for both women and disabled persons.