The Ethical Dilemma of Abortion: Pro-life vs. Pro-choice

Abortion is a contentious ethical dilemma that revolves around the ongoing conflict between freedom and the preservation of life, which is widespread on a global scale.

The website www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/abortion discusses the division of the topic of abortion into two main groups: Pro-choice and Pro-life.

Pro-choice advocates support women's freedom and oppose restrictions on a woman's autonomy over her own body. In contrast, pro-life proponents prioritize the sanctity of life and consider terminating a developing life to be morally wrong.

Let's delve deeper into these contrasting viewpoints.

Prochoice advocates argue that the fundamental moral right to control one's own body includes the option to abort an unwanted fetus. They believe denying pregnant women this choice violates their rights, as the fetus exists inside a woman's body. Therefore, they advocate for women to have the ultimate decision on continuing with the pregnancy.

Pro-life advocates stress the importance of placing the right to life above individual rights like equality or bodily autonomy.

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They argue that abortion does not meet women's needs and fails to empower them, instead supporting financial and social assistance for mothers as a means to achieve genuine equality. These advocates do not see a fetus as merely part of a woman's body but as a separate person in the womb. They consider abortion akin to taking a human life, similar to murder, and question why preventive measures are not taken before opting for abortion, deeming it unjust for an innocent life to be terminated due to someone else's actions.

Aside from Pro-life advocates, there are other perspectives against abortion. Some argue that it contradicts feminist principles of justice, non-violence, and non-discrimination. Another group believes that men see abortion as a scheme. They assert that men see the possibility of pregnancy as an obstacle to having sex whenever they want. In order for men to achieve full sexual freedom, it is important for abortion to be easily accessible to support contraception.

Summary:

The abortion debate is contentious, with advocates on both sides presenting their arguments. Pro-choice supporters emphasize the importance of bodily autonomy, while those in the Pro-life camp believe life begins at conception and view the fetus as a person. This leads to the question: Which side are you on - Pro-life or pro-choice?

Critical analysis and evaluation of argument

The ongoing ethical dilemma of the battle between pro-life and pro-choice can be analyzed within the framework of two main philosophical theories: Teleological Theory and Deontological Theory, as discussed on the website www.socyberty.com/Issues/Abortion-An-Ethical-Analyses.

Discussing abortion from a Teleological perspective means considering the consequences as the determining factor. Teleological theory, similar to Utilitarianism by Jeremy and John Stuart Mill, suggests that there is no universal basis for determining what is morally right. The main concept is the principle of Utility, which emphasizes the outcome of actions rather than intentions. This means that actions like breaking a promise, lying, causing pain, or even killing someone could be considered right in some situations, but wrong in others.

When applying this theory to the issue of abortion, it brings up questions such as: Do I truly want to have a child? Am I prepared for parenthood? Am I willing to sacrifice my time for a baby? What if I am not happy with a child? This theory appears to emphasize a self-centered perspective on the matter.

Utilitarian theory argues that a woman's choice to undergo an abortion may not be driven by selfish motives. For instance, a woman dealing with financial and emotional difficulties while still pursuing her education might opt for an abortion to prioritize her academic goals. Although this decision could yield immediate benefits by enabling her to stay in school, it prompts ethical considerations regarding its appropriateness. Was there a possibility for her to keep the child, secure employment, and carry on with her education as numerous others have done? Might having the child have ultimately resulted in her achieving higher levels of happiness?

Although it may appear simple to identify our own self-interest, do we occasionally exploit the choices available to us? This query pertains to Deontological Theory, which focuses on factors other than the outcomes of an individual's actions. This theory encompasses two perspectives: Divine Command Theory and System of Duties.

Thomas Aquinas (1274-1275) advocated for Divine command theory, positing that the world is created by God and all events occur with His will. Human beings do not have the authority to take a life, as life is given and taken solely by God. A person following Divine Command theory may approach situations differently, making decisions not based on self-interest or consequences, but rather on a higher power such as God. Critics question how a life-altering decision can be made based on the belief in a higher power like God granting the responsibility of birthing and caring for a child.

Immanuel Kant (1725-1805) is known for advocating the Deontological Approach in decision-making, specifically through his formulation of a System of Duties which includes Perfect duties and Imperfect duties. According to Kant, Perfect duties must be followed in all circumstances, such as the duty 'Not to kill an innocent person'. Applying this principle to the case of a pregnant woman, Kant argues that there is a separate person inside her womb from the time of conception, not simply another part of her body. Therefore, abortion would be considered the killing of that Person. Critics of this view point out that at the moment of conception, there is only a formation of cells and tissues, which are constantly being created and destroyed in the human body.

The contrasting viewpoints in both situations raise the question of determining which theory is ethically moral. Various reasons exist for a woman choosing to have an abortion, including avoiding disruptions to life goals, pregnancies resulting from rape, or preventing the birth of a child with abnormalities or diseases. Some may find abortion ethically problematic due to religious beliefs or the value they place on life. Ultimately, each person must confront their stance on abortion, as with any ethical dilemma. Therefore, the ongoing question remains: Are you Pro-life or Pro-choice?

My own opinion:

The writer supports a woman's right to choose regarding abortion, despite potential contradictions. Some situations may warrant choosing abortion, but there are worries about people behaving irresponsibly due to the availability of abortion as a fallback option. For example, numerous teenagers get pregnant because they are not careful in practicing safe sex. If these young girls knew that keeping the baby was their sole choice if they got pregnant, would they be more cautious? The writer's opinion is that the number of pregnant teens would go down.

The Utilitarian approach of Teleological theory allows for considering the Utility of a child, including the option of having a second chance (abortion) in case of a mistake or health risk that could result in harm to the unborn child. On the other hand, Divine Command theory takes a different perspective by emphasizing the value of new life and the belief that morality is rooted in God, suggesting that a child is a gift from God. This theory also encourages viewing any deformity or disease in a child as unique and purposeful, leading to the belief that abortion would be morally wrong as the child was meant to be part of our lives for a reason. Despite these contrasting views, can abortion be considered ethical? In my view, yes. It can be ethical when the decision is made with careful consideration and respect for the significance of the choice being made.

In conclusion, my research has led me to the belief that, despite the variety of theories surrounding the topic, abortion ultimately boils down to being a personal choice. I believe that in such situations, the ethical judgment should belong solely to the individual involved. As long as a woman is fully informed of all options and alternatives, she should have the freedom to decide what she believes is best for her, regardless of others' opinions or religious convictions on abortion.