Ethics is what we are to do and who we are to become, reflecting systematically and rationally. It involves; principles and norms, right versus wrong, justice, fairness, qualities of characters, and actions that make us successful human beings. Conscience is defined as “the awareness of a moral or ethical aspect to one’s conduct, with the urge to prefer right over wrong.” Ethics and our conscience help people consider their feelings, consequences, and actions. When you consider these things, you generally make wise decisions. Ethics and conscience can benefit decision making which supports trust, respect, and responsibility and results in good decision making.
My chosen ethical issue is abortion. I chose this issue as it is producing more and more conflict around the world and is creating many mixed emotions that I find interesting and want to dig deeper into. Abortion is an issue in the world today because there are two sides to it. You have a group of people who believe deliberately killing innocent human beings is wrong no matter what the circumstances are. Then you have the other half of people who believe that a woman has the right to her own body. Some people think abortion is wrong, some people think it is completely necessary, especially when the Mother’s life is at risk. An example of this is if a rape occurred and if abortion was illegal, then a Mother is forced to give birth to the child, then give up the baby for adoption. The majority of abortions are due to the following considerations; financial/mental stability, such as; can you afford to have a baby? Can you afford the necessities that a child needs? Are you ready for a child? Becoming pregnant after being raped and the mother isn’t mentally capable of carrying and then looking after a child. It is also a possibility that the rape victim is still a child herself. The fetus has a medical condition, and babies with deformities may not live for long or at all once they are born. This could affect a Mother’s mental health. Safety for the Mother and Baby, during the pregnancy, the Mother could fall critically ill and is not expected to live past the birth of the child, or it could affect the child’s health an abortion will ensure that the Mother lives. But some believe it is deliberately killing an innocent baby.
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The Catechism of the Catholic Church states; that life begins at conception; abortion is akin to murder as it is the act of taking a human life. If there was nothing wrong with the mother and she had all the necessities to raise the baby, but she decided she didn’t want the baby and got an abortion, this (from the church's perspective) is an act of murder. An unborn baby has the right to live, even if born with disabilities or deformities. If abortion was illegal, the Mother could adopt the child. There are many adopting couples who are medically unable to produce a child. Natural law theory is when nature takes its course without medical intervention. For example, a woman may lose a baby through a natural miscarriage. But Natural Law says that killing an innocent child is not an option. Natural Law believes it is an evil act unless a ‘double effect’ is the reason. This means that the fetus starts to grow in the fallopian tube and both the mother and fetus will die. If the fallopian tubes get surgically removed, the baby has no way of living and the pregnancy ends, this is not considered an evil act. Although virtue ethics believes that if the fetus isn’t a person yet, then yes, they might allow abortion.
Virtue Ethics’ view on abortion is genuinely depending on the person you truly are. It is a more moral decision when choosing your freedom of choice. Virtue Ethics is a character based on an ethical theory. Meaning that it looks at the virtue or moral character of the individual acting, rather than at ethical laws, or the consequences of particular actions. Natural Law states that abortion is an ‘evil act’ and ‘to not even consider abortion’ when Virtue Ethics is more based on your true identity and belief as they think of ‘What would a kind, temperate, courageous person do?’. A religious response to abortions would be to disagree with the act. The Church believes since life begins at conception, abortion is akin to murder as it is the act of taking human life. “Parents are not to be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their parents; each will die for their sin.” Deuteronomy 24:16. Deuteronomy 24:16 is saying that no parent should ever wish death upon their children and visa-versa. “You shall not kill.54 You have heard that it was said to the man of old, “You shall not kill and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment. But I say to you that everyone angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment 55.
The bible reference states clearly that “You shall not kill54” and that if you do kill somebody you will be responsible and accountable. You will be judged by everyone and you’ll bear the consequences. It is also saying that no matter the circumstance, the person, or their age, killing someone isn’t an option but if you do, you will be held liable and you will have to face the punishment and it is a selfish offense. I truly judge that abortions should be legal because I believe everyone deserves to have an option. What if the pregnancy was going to lead to the mother’s death? The child would then have to grow up without a biological mother. What if the mother is a victim of rape? How is she supposed to support a child that partially belongs to a man who has physically attacked her and cope with the terror and fear she has experienced? The women may have mental health issues caused by the event. This can also impact her natural bonding with her child. What if a young girl is raped? Why doesn’t she get the chance to try and get past it, live on, and experience things a normal teenage girl would? Or what if that young girl was your daughter, granddaughter, niece, or friend, wouldn’t you want what is best for her? For someone to argue against this, ethically, in my opinion, would be wrong. Another reason as to why I believe abortions should be legal would be stability for the child, naturally every parent wants the best for their child but sometimes people don’t have a stable income or home.
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