Abortion- A Woman’s Divine Right Tameka A. Severson SOC 120 Introduction to Ethics & Social Responsibility Instructor: Theodore Framan April 16, 2012 The topic of abortion is one of the most controversial of our times. The fight between pro-life and pro-choice supporters has been long and brutal. This is because individuals can be a bit “close minded” and refuse to view any other beliefs or ideas other than their own. Although I support the act of abortion, when it all boils down, it is a right and the circumstance at hand really depends on the particular individual. Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability.
In fact if we force this woman to have the surgery it could compromise the sanctity of a woman’s body. This would bring up the whole debate of abortion. Having the fetus’s rights just as important if not more than the mother’s, could say that if you have an abortion or miscarriage that you could be charged with a criminal offence. In the interest of fairness and justice, she should not be forced to have the
One of the most ethical controversial issues being debated now in United States is whether late- term abortion should be banned or not. Most people argued that it is proper to ban late-term abortion. They believe that it is un-ethical and a murder of an unborn child not a right of freedom of choice. It is an immoral act and violates the social and religious norms. On the other hand some people argued that late-term abortion should not be banned because it is necessary to terminate a fetus when the life of the woman is in danger as a result of complicated pregnancy; or when pregnancy result from incest or rape and the woman may be late in finding out that she is pregnant.
Short Paper on A Defense of Abortion by J. J. Thomson In the article A Defense of Abortion, Judith Jarvis Thomson exposes the idea that fetuses are considered persons from the moment of conception and, therefore, they have the right to life. However, Thomson argues that abortion under certain circumstances can be morally permissible. Based on these ideas Thompson implemented thought experiments such as the analogies of the violinist and the “drifting seeds”, which doesn’t really give an adequate explanation for why abortion is sometimes permissible. Thus, based on my understanding of these analogies I believe that Thomson’s arguments are not convincing and, therefore, abortion should not be permissible. Thomson explains that the fetus is a person who has the right to life.
Despite Natural Law forbidding abortion, there is a doctrine of double effect that can be implemented. If the mother’s life is threatened as a result of the pregnancy, for instance during an ectopic pregnancy, then the destruction of the fallopian tube would be acceptable. Here, the primary aim is not the terminate the pregnancy but to save the mother’s life. The secondary effect is that the embryo is destroyed. Here, abortion would be permissible even by Natural law followers, who believe in the sanctity of life.
Yes, everyone in the United States does have that freedom to choose, but killing their child should not even be an option when it means taking away that child’s right to life. Are we saying that an adult’s rights are more important than the rights of babies and
According to Warren, “the moral community," decide if a fetus can become part of the moral community. The mother, being an actual person, overrides the rights of a potential person, the fetus. Warren continues to state that a woman, who wants to have an abortion and is not permitted to, is considered unconstitutional because her rights of freedom are being taken away. In Paul Wilkes “The Moral Dilemma of Abortion,” Wilkes rejects the claim that the embryo has a human soul as soon as conception occurs. Wilkes takes this stand and cites from modern embryology that conception doesn’t occur in an instance, but it takes place over a few days; while fertilization takes place in a matter of twenty-four hours.
Partial-birth abortions, abortions in the third trimester, and the recent “day-after” or RU-486 pill now add a new aspect to the issue. Partial-birth abortions and abortions in the third trimester are exceedingly controversial. In these procedures it doesn’t involve the expulsion of an embryo, but it involves the actual termination of a fetus from a womb. It has been outlawed in the United States a result of numerous outraged pro-life advocates and some pro-choice who found it to be utterly inhumane. The RU-486 is said to be no more controversial than any other aspect of an abortion.
These are all reason that could be avoided, and save many lives in the early stages. One controversial reason a woman might have an abortion is if she has been raped. There are very few cases like this, and in the instance of pregnancy resulting from rape, Linda Lowen informs us “proper medical care can ensure that a woman will not get pregnant” (Abortion Arguments). Overall, the most common reason for having an abortion is that “over 95 percent… [are] women who simply do not want to have a baby” (Abortion is Murder). Women who get pregnant and are not ready to accept the responsibility should not let this result in the death of a human
My World View Abortion is a topic that has been debated for centuries. Many people believe that it is a woman’s prerogative to terminate her pregnancy. These people also say that it is a violation of her rights to take that option away. Others argue that a fetus is a defenseless being that deserves a chance to live. Attacking an individual who has no means to defend them self is wrong, which is why I strongly oppose abortion.