Philosophical Viewpoints On Abortion

1319 Words6 Pages
Ethics and Moral Problems Final Project April 17, 2012 Philosophical viewpoints on Abortion Abortion is a big controversy, a talked about subject that goes on every day in our lives. Abortion can be thought of pro-life; moral and ethical rights for the fetus to live. Is it morally justifiable for an embryo to have moral rights or is the fetus a person that should be protected? It can also be looked at as pro-choice; having the right to terminate the pregnancy is your decision because it is “your child” which can be immoral and unethical. I will use some critical thinking like what a human being really is? Is a fetus a human being? What exactly is a person? Is a fetus a person? I will be examining the different reasons for abortion using some strong arguments as well as philosophical terms to help understand philosophically whether or not abortion is legal and justified or illegal and unjustified. I will also state a weakness as to why I would agree with philosophers Jeremy Bentham and John Stewart Mill using their criteria of consequentialism. Some moral and legal aspects of abortion point to some important arguments, whether or not the developing fetus from its beginning to birth has the ability to feel pain and have consciousness would argue one has the right to live or at least have their claim to live. Is the fetus a human being? What is a human being? Does the fetus have sound mind or is it just an unconscious state, of having no mind and feeling no pain. Does the question rely on moral claims? The standard deductive argument through syllogism is that: Killing of human beings are prohibited. A fetus is a human being. Killing the fetus is prohibited. Looking at the above, it would assume that abortion is a homicide and is prohibited. The result of practical syllogism is one can argue against both premises.
Open Document