An ethical dilemma today in society is that of abortion, which one would define as a deliberate end to a pregnancy. Various arguments exist questioning if an abortion is morally justifiable. Some say the state should decide on the legality of an abortion, some politicians say the federal government should decide, and many believe it should be up to the women since it pertains to their body. In this paper, I will analyze what a utilitarian’s perspective on abortion would be. First, let’s get a clear understanding of utilitarianism. In this ethical theory, the philosopher John Stuart Mill focuses on the principle of utility which is also called the greatest happiness principle which states that our actions are based on the effects of actions …show more content…
For instance, let’s say the mother goes through the nine months of being pregnant with the child and has the child. Of course, if the mother does not want the child for any reasons a woman would not want a child, it is understandable that the pregnancy may not completely be enjoyable for the mother due the trials it takes on to the human body. There is still a way that more happiness can come from the mother having the child. If the mother was to give up the child for adoption after having the baby, the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number could occur, which is the entire goal of the Utilitarian thought process. So, the mother gives up the child for adoption and then a couple who possibly could not have a child could become parents. The birth mother of the child is happy because she does not have the burden of raising a child that she did not wish for and a couple, and their immediate family, receive happiness from a child that has now entered their life. In this scenario, questions like “what if no one ever adopt the child?” arises. It could be so, but a child can still have the potential of happiness in life through a life they were granted by the mother going through with the pregnancy. In this view, an abortion is not morally permissible because by not getting one it …show more content…
It seems difficult to count every individual that could possibly be affected by an abortion. It could be few or many depending on the size of the family. It seems like not having an abortion, the greatest happiness for the greatest number occurs. Putting utilitarian thought aside, killing seems inarguably wrong and that is what an abortion is. It could not be possible for killing an innocent child to be right. Of course, in extremely unfortunate occurrences that occur in impregnation from rape, it seems like an abortion could be the right action. However, you can argue for adoption, which will then lead to happiness for more people. In this debate, the question of quality versus quantity rises. It seems that a Utilitarian would argue that the quantity only matters, but in this case, should we not consider the quality of the happiness in the people in these
This case has managed for abortion to become a hot topic in America. Throughout her paper, Judith Jarvis Thomson presents an argument that describes why abortion is moral. The purpose of Thomson’s argument is to dictate to the reader that a fetus is a creature that does have rights, however, a fetus does not have the right to a mother’s body; therefore abortion is permissible in a way does not hurt a creature not being born yet, and that a mother has the right to determine what is happening to and as well as within her
Essay On Why Abortion Is Immoral This article called “Why Abortion Is Immoral” written by Don Marquis argues and why abortion is prima facie impermissible. Marquis accesses both anti-abortion arguments and also pro-choicer’s claim to protect the legalization of abortion. My paper is going to understand and examine the the both sides arguments, and to attempt to recognize abortion is immoral.
This causes many mixed emotions in a child’s life. Having the right to have an abortion should be a natural right just as loving is. In "Abortion: No More Apologies", Pollitt wrote “Legalizing abortion didn’t just save women from death and injury and fear of arrest, didn’t just make it possible for women to commit to education and work and free them from shotgun marriages and too many kids”(13). This line summarizes why I argue for pro-choice supporters. In the article “Torture Born: Representing Pregnancy And Abortion
In the minds of someone who believes in this ethical theory, their decision is based on what produces the greatest amount of “ happiness “. A person who stands in favor of abortion would stand alongside a Utilitarian ethics approach because going through with the pregnancy can cause significantly more stress than happiness depending on the situation. The phrase “ The end justifies the means” goes back to consequentialism, an example of normative ethics. The definition of consequentialism states that the moral quality of an action can be determined by its consequences. To apply Utilitarianism in the subject of abortion, I believe they would determine that considering that in the early terms of the pregnancy, the fetus is not considered a “living thing” in its early term, therefore the loss of the mother would go against their principle and therefore should side to be in support of abortion.
They describe it as “the decision of a lifetime.” This source explains that when a mother is pregnant and the father is not involved, there are are many options, but they stress adoption or abortion. This source also compares and contrasts adoption and abortion; they compare them in the sense that one will be free to pursue goals and will not have to be tied down with the responsibilities of a baby. This source also contrasts the two in the sense that if the mother chooses adoption, she can rest assure knowing the baby has a loving mother and father who will take care of him or her. Also, the biological mother can feel good about her self because she gave the gift of life to a couple who desperately wanted it.
Abortion: An ethical Dilemma For many people today abortion is a hot topic. There are so many ethical questions that come into play when you begin to talk about abortion and the different circumstances that might lead to having an abortion. In this essay I will talk about the way that I believe God sees and views life and how we are therefor meant to treat it. Ethical Dilemma
Pregnancy, giving birth, and abortion are three interrelated topics. They offer moral dilemmas that aren’t easily solved or tackled. In this paper, I will discuss abortion and I will approach it from the point of view of a consequentialist, a deontological ethicist, and a virtue ethicist. I will start by defining abortion, provide some information about the reasons why women opt to abort a fetus, then give a specific example of a moral dilemma that a woman is facing, and explore the dilemma from the different points of view.
The debate whether abortion is morally permissible or not permissible is commonly discussed between the considerations of the status of a fetus and ones virtue theory. A widely recognized theory of pro-choice advocates can be thought to be that their ethical view is that fetus’s merely are not humans because they lack the right to life since they believe a fetus does not obtain any sort of mental functions or capability of feelings. Although this may be true in some cases it is not in all so explaining the wrongness of killing, between the common debates whether a fetus does or does not obtain human hood, should be illustrated in a way of a virtuous theory. The wrongness of killing is explained by what the person or fetus is deprived of, such as their right to life; not by means of a heart beat or function of one’s body, but by the fact that it takes their ability of potentially growing into a person to have the same human characteristics as we do.
According to Utilitarianism the decision would be for whatever would bring the majority of the people the most pleasure. I thing that one would have to know the circumstances around the rape to accurately gage what the population would want, as well as the geographic area. For instance if the rape took place in a highly liberal place like Vermont the idea of having to bear a pregnancy that was the product of rape may cause many liberal people who believe in the a woman’s right to choose great anxiety and stress. What if the rape was highly public and the rapist was a terrorist and hated by the majority.
The legalization of abortion will allow a woman to fully exercise her constitutional right of freedom of choice. Benefits of abortion far exceed the disadvantages and the life to preserve and better should be that of the mother or parents and not of an unborn fetus. On this basis, abortion should be legalized in all countries. Is it really moral and ethical if the life of the mother of the unborn child is not considered in these decisions? Are we really going to allow the feelings of something that feels nothing to influence this decision?
Abortion due to the fetus having an abnormality falls under this category. Giving the fetuses life guarantees death and suffering in so many areas. According to Idziak, “Aborting an abnormal fetus prevents suffering for the child…giving life to the fetus would cause more harm to it than denying it life through abortion. Because of the poor quality of life, the child would have if born, abortion can be seen as being in the best interest of the child” (p.
This argument preaches that women who have been raped have the “right” to have an abortion without being criticized. However, this is completely sentimental. If the rape victim decides to have the child anyways, there 's multiple emotional things that could wrongly affect the child. Often, a child produced from a rape will be put up for adoption, which can affect their future and attitude. In other cases,
Some people think women use abortions as an escape from their wrong behavior and careless decisions in life and Some people believe that having an abortion and ending a child’s life will solve their problems but in reality, abortion only hides problems it doesn’t solve them. There is always a solution in every problem, choosing abortion and denying life to a child who already exists is irresponsibly and irreparably wrong. How sad for those who think a child is not worth anything. Children
“Abortion -should it be a right of every woman in the present context- A critical analysis” 1. Introduction I elected to present my dissertation on a topic based on ‘abortion’ since it is a hidden social menace in our society. It is like an iceberg. The tip represents the reported abortions, which everyone sees.
Never mind the morality of abortion, even the health risks are unbelievable. When a woman receives an abortion she runs a 65 percent higher risk of clinical depression and 160 percent more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric treatment. Abortions create more complications than going full term with a