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Chamberlain University College of Nursing *
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445N
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Philosophy
Date
Jan 9, 2024
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6
Uploaded by PresidentTitaniumSheep5
Week 3: Course Project Milestone- Abortion
ETHC445N-60342
11/19/23
Topic of discussion: Abortion
Opinions in the Ethical Discussion
Proponent Opinions:
This perspective argues that due to the fetus lacking relevance and not possessing the
characteristics of a child or a fully developed human being, the termination of pregnancy should
not be seen as the act of terminating a human life.
Furthermore, proponents argue that women possess the autonomy to make the decision to
undergo an abortion if they perceive it to be the most advantageous choice for their well-being.
Although she may have chosen a decision that mostly benefits herself, it is likely that she will
endure the consequences of her actions. Abortion is seen as ethically justifiable based on the
following rationales.
Opposing Opinions:
This group argues that abortion is morally and ethically wrong. This perspective is held
due to the belief that abortion is the deliberate termination of a human life.
Moreover, proponents argue that a fetus retains its status as a human being irrespective of
its physical dimensions, and so terminating a pregnancy would be morally objectionable as it
would entail the cessation of that individual's existence.
Moral theory evaluation of these Positions
Theory of Ethical Egoism:
What would an Ethical Egoist say about this topic?
According to the perspective of ethical egoism, it may be argued that a woman cannot be
seen as a murderer if she unintentionally becomes pregnant and subsequently terminates her
pregnancy by the misuse of medications or seeks the assistance of a medical professional to
extract tissue from her uterus. She can argue in support of this perspective, asserting that there is
no valid rationale for regarding a small portion of human fetal tissue as a fully developed human
individual (Beckman, 2017).
What side would the Ethical Egoist take? What would the Ethical Egoist say to justify
their moral position?
The Ethical Egoist would advocate in favor of abortion. The proponents of Ethical
Egoism would assert, in support of their ethical position, that abortion is not inherently morally
unjust or tantamount to homicide, notwithstanding the prevailing perception among individuals
who consider abortion as the deliberate termination of human life. The individual in question
would argue that abortion should not be equated with the act of killing a human person, as the
tissue being extracted mostly consists of a small portion of a human embryo, frequently of
insufficient size to be classified as a child or a fully formed human being (Joyce, 2019).
Is there a conflict between loyalty to self and to community relevant to your topic? If so,
how so?
Undoubtedly, a palpable tension exists within the discourse around abortion, stemming
from the conflicting interests of communal solidarity and individual allegiance. The community
holds the belief that abortion is morally and ethically unacceptable. However, an individual may
present the argument that abortion does not constitute a morally wrong or immoral act, since it
does not include the intentional killing of a human being. This perspective is based on the
assertion that the human tissue present in an embryo is of insufficient significance and size to be
considered an unborn baby or an individual. The struggle between personal allegiance and
communal loyalty is a major issue that emerges in this context (Callahan, & Callahan, 2012).
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In my perspective, the most suitable course of action would be to abstain from
undergoing an abortion and to avoid participating in any activities or circumstances that may
potentially result in such a procedure. These measures encompass abstaining from engaging in
sexual activity without the use of contraception, as this is the principal factor contributing to
unwanted pregnancies, subsequently leading to the termination of pregnancies due to their
unintended nature. By abstaining from participating in these behaviors, there would be a
significant reduction in the number of abortions conducted. In my perspective, abortion is seen to
be morally and ethically objectionable.
What would a Social Contract Ethicist say about this topic? What side would the Social
Contract Ethicist take?
According to a scholar specializing in social contract ethics, the act of abortion is deemed
highly unethical and morally reprehensible. According to proponents of the Social Contract
Ethic, those who endorse abortion are said to possess immoral inclinations and should be
regarded as having caused the demise of a fellow human being. This can be attributed to the
individual's endorsement of the perspective that advocates for the recognition of a minuscule
fragment of human fetal tissue as a distinct human entity, rather than dismissing it as devoid of
significance (Arosemena, 2017).
What would the Social Contract Ethicist say to justify their moral position?
The Social Contract Ethicist would assert that the act of taking a human life, regardless of
its insignificance, is highly immoral and morally unjustifiable, as a means of reinforcing their
moral position. This perspective would serve to affirm and substantiate their ethical position,
since they perceive abortion as the act of intentionally terminating a pregnancy, hence causing
the demise of a fellow human being (Zamora, & Vicco, 2019).
Does your topic involve a collision between personal obligations and national ones? If so,
how so? Note what you feel is the best course of action.
The focal point of my research is the conflict that arises when an individual's personal
obligations clash with their responsibilities towards their nation. The societal responsibility
entails ensuring a reduction in the incidence of abortion, while the individual obligation involves
a personal dedication to abstaining from engaging in any activity related to abortion (Zamora, &
Vicco, 2019). Ensuring that individuals refrain from engaging in morally objectionable actions,
such as abortion, is, in my perspective, the most prudent course of action. Benevolence
represents the established professional code of ethics that pertains to the matter at hand.
According to this ethical principle, physicians are obligated to put the well-being of their patients
above all other considerations (Thomson, 2013). Hence, there is a possibility that the legalization
of abortion may be seen as a means to safeguard the physical and mental welfare of the mother.
This topic pertains to the act of managing and reconciling responsibilities towards one's family
and professional pursuits. This is due to the disparity in perspectives between the patient's family,
who may advocate for an abortion as the optimal course of action, and doctors, who may
perceive performing an abortion as fraught with potential risks for a multitude of reasons (Ben
Natan & Melitz, 2010).
References
Arosemena, G. (2017). On The Wrongfulness Of Abortion. Ius Humani Law Journal, 6, 155-172.
Beckman, L. J. (2017). Abortion in the United States: The continuing controversy. Feminism &
Psychology, 27(1), 101-113. https://doi.org/10.1177/0959353516685345
Ben Natan, M., & Melitz, O. (2011). Nurses' and nursing students' attitudes towards late
abortions. International nursing review, 58(1), 68–73.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1466-7657.2010.00840.x
Callahan, S., & Callahan, D. (Eds.). (2012). Abortion: understanding differences. Springer
Science & Business Media.
Joyce, K. (2019). Doing Ethics: Moral Reasoning, Theory, and Contemporary Issues, 5th ed., by
Lewis Vaughn. Teaching Philosophy, 42(4), 414-417.
Thomson, M. (2013). Abortion Law and Professional Boundaries. Social & Legal Studies, 22(2),
191-210. https://doi.org/10.1177/0964663912474740
Zamora, M. A. G., & Vicco, M. H. (2019). Conscientious objection as a legal need: a look from
abortion. Revista Bioética, 27, 528-534.
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