Frances Kamm (Harvard): Health Policy and Innocent Threats: Abortion and Time Limits, Pandemics and Harm

Frances Kamm is the Littauer Professor of Philosophy and Public Policy in the Kennedy School of Government, as well as Professor of Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts & Sciences, and will be presenting the fourth paper of Hilary Term: “Health Policy and Innocent Threats: Abortion and Time Limits, Pandemics and Harm".

Abstract:

This essay considers how the fact that some morally innocent person is nevertheless a threat to
others can bear on the permissibility of health policies that harm some to protect others. Two types of innocent threats are distinguished. In the case of abortion, it is argued that even if the embryo/fetus were a person, abortion could be permissible to protect a woman’s life, health, or bodily autonomy. Whether there nevertheless should be time limits on abortions and what surprising form such limits might take are also considered. In the case of pandemics, it is suggested that discussions of health policies should, but often do not, distinguish morally between innocent threats and their potential victims as well as between providing benefits to people and preventing harms to them. The essay also examines discussions of pandemics by health professionals that make use of the trolley problem, the doctrine of double effect, and related philosophical distinctions.

This seminar takes place online, via Teams, at 5:00pm (GMT) on Thursday 13 February. A link to the seminar will be circulated alongside the paper to our mailing list. 

This event is open to anyone. No registration needed.

Pre-reading is desirable and strongly suggested, but not a requirement to attend.

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