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How is Selzez a Philosopher, as well as, a Doctor?

Abortion is a tremendous issue in our society today. As well as the article “Abortion” by Selzer, I have also read Mortal Lessons, a book he had also written. Selzer is an author who wrote in order to describe “unsparingly the surgeon’s art, opening up the body to view one part at a time.” The article “Abortion” classifies him as a doctor, but the way in which he writes makes him a philosopher as well. Selzer not only writes about the physical aspects of surgery, but also the emotional and psychological sides that agree with it.

In the essay “Abortion”, Selzer took presence during an abortion procedure: “I am present because I asked to be present. I wanted to see what I have never seen (p. 280).” What he had never seen before was something that shocked and amazed him. He though he saw the fetus “struggling against the needle (281)” trying to get away from it. He observed that the needle inside the woman’s stomach was moving and believed that to be the fetus fighting against what it instinctively knew as death. These observations, in my eyes, make him a philosopher. He not only thinks about the woman having the abortion but also the fetus that is being aborted. He links the physical act with emotions and psychological aspects, which make him think differently than other surgeons.

To have an abortion at all, I personally do not agree with. However, there are certain extents in which I think are right to have an abortion, such as being rapped. It is true that after anyone is violated in that way, no one is going to want to carry around a rapist’s baby to remind you of how you were abused. This is one way that I think is acceptable to have an abortion. To have an abortion because you are not responsible enough to use protection, that is you own ignorance. You should be mature enough to handle your own...