Introduction
Identifying what constitutes an abortion is the first step in solving the abortion conundrum. The moral problem with abortion only arises when terminating the pregnancy inevitably results in the death of the unborn child. To concentrate on these troubling circumstances, “abortion” will be defined as describe the intentional termination of a pregnancy with the goal of the embryo dying (Sinnott-Armstrong & Fogelin, 2013). In this piece, I argue that abortion is acceptable when the mother’s life is in danger, regardless of who is to blame for the pregnancy. Fundamentally, it is a woman’s ability to decide whether, with whom, and when to begin or expand her household and have the freedom to choose an abortion. Therefore, the question of the morality of abortion should consider the freedom of choice of a woman.
The Pro-Choice Argument
According to the pro-life position, abortion includes killing a human fetus or a human being. Furthermore, pregnancy termination is always immoral since it leads to the death of an innocent unborn person. On the other hand, the pro-choice perspective asserts that although it is acknowledged that abortion is acceptable whenever it safeguards the mother’s life, other scenarios must be considered. Even many pro-life conservatives who do not support abortion acknowledge that it is acceptable when incest or rape becomes the cause of pregnancy. However, it is unclear how the moral norm against murder may be changed to include an exception in cases of incest and rape. Even with exceptions made for life-threatening conceptions and pregnancies brought on by incest and rape, the number of ethically justifiable pregnancy terminations is extremely small. (Sinnott-Armstrong & Fogelin, 2013). Nonetheless, by broadening the self-defence option, pro-choice liberals can make a case for a larger spectrum of ethically acceptable abortions. A woman may be justified in defending her survival and overall health.
Liberals may also contend that, apart from rape, terminating a pregnancy is legal whenever the mother is not to blame for her conception. This may include situations when the woman attempted to use contraception to avoid becoming pregnant. This type of exception-making does not establish the foundation for an ultimate entitlement to pregnancy termination, but it does shift the debate from one that is pro-life to one that is pro-choice.
Furthermore, it has been thought that a human fetus is a person. However, liberals who support abortion often contest this concept. It may not be easy to contest a baby’s existence in the womb. Liberals, nonetheless, contend that organisms are not the fundamental problem. The essential question is whether a human fetus is safeguarded to the same degree as a grownup by the moral prohibition against murder. The question is whether the fetus is an individual, and everything that is safeguarded to this level is considered to have a “right to life” and will be labelled a “person” (Sinnott-Armstrong & Fogelin, 2013, p. 388). Therefore, because it is not clear if the fetus is a person but certain that the mother has control over her body, due credit must be given to the mother. If a fetus is not a person, this moral position cannot establish that there is anything problematic with abortion.
The main flaw in this argument is how readily uninformed people might misuse it to end pregnancies wrongly. Furthermore, the argument favouring abortion encourages killing an innocent life, which is unjust. Nevertheless, now that the reasoning has a novel foundation, the issue is whether there are situations when well-being concerns are so pressing that the entitlements of the unborn are superseded. This is the most glaring scenario in which it might occur: if the mother’s life is at risk (Sinnott-Armstrong & Fogelin, 2013). Abortion is legal in such situations, according to many pro-life liberals. Some pro-choice advocates contend that significant emotional, monetary, or personal losses to the expectant mother may also be more important than the unborn’ life. Additionally, many babies would not survive in deplorable conditions, and some might not survive or grow very far due to fatal.
Conclusion
In conclusion, regardless of who caused the pregnancy, abortion is legal when the mother’s life is in danger. The morality of the permission of abortion heavily relies on different considerations, however, the priority should be given to the woman herself. Despite that abortion implies the death of an innocent human being, the danger to the mother’s health is also presented in some instances. It should be considered as fundamental freedom for a woman to decide on her abortion, as well as on the morality of her decision.
Reference
Sinnott-Armstrong, W., & Fogelin, R. J. (2013). Cengage Advantage Books: Understanding Arguments: An introduction to informal logic. Cengage Learning.