Abortion
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Lone Star College System, Woodlands *
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MISC
Subject
Philosophy
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
Pages
5
Uploaded by SuperTigerPerson337
Abortion Presentation outline
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Research presentation outline
Jaden Palacios
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Values and ethics 330
Christopher J. Will
11/26//23
Abortion Presentation outline
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Presentation Issue/Question:
Is late-term abortion morally and ethically an acceptable practice?
What is abortion:
Abortion is the forced death and “deliberate termination of a pregnancy by surgical
or medical means.”(Lewis Vaughn, 2021, p.221) Although miscarriages and therapeutic
abortion (an abortion to save a mother's life) are not often ethically challenging, induced
abortions raise much speculation.
Summary of Pro choice:
Pro-choice groups have been slowly losing leverage as Roe v. Wade was overturned
in June of 2022. Despite the Supreme Court's decision and defense, many people still feel
their autonomy is at risk. On top of this, many ethical morals and principles defend
abortion as we take a look into Utilitarianism and bodily autonomy. Utilitarianists can
defend abortion through the state of the mother as forcibly conceiving a child has many
impacts on physical and mental health as well as financial and potential freedoms.
Autonomy can defend women and their choice, as all individuals are allowed to make their
own decisions. By allowing a person to maintain their autonomy, you allow them to make
decisions regarding pregnancy based on their life experiences, circumstances, and values.
Summary of Pro life:
The pro-life movement stems from the belief that the fetus, no matter how old, has
rights and a moral status. Due to this belief, many ethical theories, such as rule
utilitarianism and deontology, defend the pro-life argument. Rule utilitarianism actively
defends life, even that of a fetus, as the "morally right action is the one covered by a rule
Abortion Presentation outline
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that if generally followed would produce the most favorable balance of good over
evil."(Lewis Vaughn, 2021, p.73) By actively saving the fetus' life and considering the
happiness the child could bring you and your community, this outcome provides the
greatest happiness. Furthermore, since the fetus is technically alive and has the same
morals and laws as anyone else, Kant's ethics applies significantly to this situation. As
abortions would technically treat the fetus as a mere means and not as an end in itself,
under Kant's ethics, abortions can not be ethically optional.
Summary of my opinion:
Although many points and ethical principles apply to both sides, I believe no laws
should restrict a person's autonomy. By banning abortions altogether, laws could force
children conceived from incest and rape to be born. Although by actively getting an
abortion you are potentially forcing more trauma upon the victim, said victim should still
not have to bear the responsibility of an unintended pregnancy no matter what. We must
also look upon the situation and hardships the family and child will experience if forcibly
conceived. As not all mothers can provide for their children, no baby should have to go
hungry or live under harsh conditions. By forcing all mothers to conceive, we are
potentially subjecting babies to live under harsh and undesirable conditions. As many
fetuses can be seen using ultrasound, we can also often determine a baby's quality of life. If
the quality of life of the fetus is significantly impacted, I believe late-term abortion can be
an appropriate consideration. By completely banning abortion, we are subjecting deformed
and unhealthy fetuses to extreme pain and suffering as the only life they will ever know
will be one within a hospital.
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Abortion Presentation outline
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A few questions:
#1 If we are restricted to only having one child per family, and the sex of the baby
can only be determined later within its life, should we be able to decide what sex we
desire?
#2 Is there a cut off point to abortion? When can we subject a fetus to legal and
moral principles and are there different deciding points for every fetus?
#3 Can we stop pregnant women from attempting to receive an abortion in a
different state or country? How far can we go to protect the life of a fetus?
Abortion Presentation outline
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Citations:
VAUGHN, L. (2024).
Doing ethics: Moral reasoning and contemporary moral issues
(6th ed.). W W NORTON.