Abortion: Moral Problems in Contemporary Life Essay Example
There is great controversy surrounding the issue of abortion in all societies. This essay will examine two distinct viewpoints on the subject, one being that of Judith Jarvis Thomson, a philosophy professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
While Serrin M. Foster, the President of Feminists for Life of America, concentrates on practical solutions to tackle the underlying reasons behind women's choice to have abortions, Judith Jarvis Thomson's "A Defense of Abortion" employs a hypothetical situation to advocate for the fetus' entitlement to life. Notwithstanding their differing personal perspectives, both Foster and Thomson examine abortion.
The ethics of abortion raise a question about whether it can be justified if both the mother and fetus are human beings with the right to life, but the woman does not want to continue her pregna
...ncy. To address this issue, the author presents a thought experiment that involves waking up next to an unconscious violinist suffering from a kidney ailment after being kidnapped by the Society of Music Lovers. Your circulatory system has been connected to the violinist's so that your kidneys can help extract toxins from his blood. If you unplug yourself from the violinist, he will die after nine months; however, Thomson argues that you have every right to do so without violating his right to life because there is no entitlement for him to use another person's body. It would actually be more of a kindness on your part than a duty he could demand.
Although the explanation of the violinist scenario is given, I hold the opinion that abortion presents a more controversial topic as it involves factors not touched upon in the analogy. The act of unpluggin
oneself from the violinist can be seen as an act of self-defense against assault; however, equating a child's growth inside the womb to an act of assault is not applicable. Moreover, we are aware that disconnecting from the violinist will lead to his death because of his preexisting kidney disease, rather than due to our actions.
The text explains that abortion is unique in its direct killing of a fetus. Thomson's essay draws a comparison between the violinist and the unborn child, highlighting their lack of connection compared to a mother and her fetus. This bond between mother and child is powerful and extends beyond birth, unlike the situation presented by Thomson.
In society, it is typically expected for a mother to provide more care for her child than someone who is not related. The writer believes that there are situations in which abortion can be considered ethical, but also acknowledges cases where it cannot. Furthermore, Serrin M. Foster is mentioned as another author discussed in this essay.
In her essay, the author discusses the viewpoints of various feminist authors regarding abortion. Elizabeth Cady and Susan B. Anthony consider abortion as "Child Murder," while Alice Paul believes that it is the ultimate exploitation of women. Additionally, Foster also sheds light on the Feminist for Life's philosophy that asserts that women deserve joy despite an unplanned pregnancy. Essentially, feminists are emphasizing that all individuals, regardless of race, religion, sex, size, age, location, disability or parentage, should have equal rights.
According to the feminist perspective, abortion violates important principles by using force to destroy another. Statistics and the average person who decides to have an abortion are discussed by Foster, who
identifies several issues. Women are fearful of lacking support and experiencing domestic violence, while college-aged women are at the greatest risk of having an abortion. Foster notes that college women feel threatened by others, as they are not respected and are viewed as exotic animals walking on campus.
Insufficient support for pregnant students is a prevailing issue in several universities. As per the author, instead of aiding financially to support the baby, the university provides loans for abortion. It is necessary to ensure that all students are informed about pregnancy and abortion-related concerns. In the succeeding section of Serrin M. Foster's essay, the negative impact of abortions on women is discussed.
According to Foster, women who undergo abortion may experience negative consequences such as infertility, unintended future abortions, and even death. Additionally, a significant concern is the risk of psychiatric disorders arising from the lack of external support to deal with the emotional aftermath. Foster argues that it is important to address the root causes that drive women to seek abortions in order to prevent these harms and control abortion rates in society.
The authors suggest listening to women who have had abortions and involving men as partners in finding solutions. Root causes driving women to harm themselves must be addressed through the development of plans. Overall, abortion is a problem that needs to be addressed in societies as it highlights societal failure in meeting women's needs. The proposed solution is to find ways to prevent women from seeking abortions.
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