Abortion is Not Moral

Abortion; as defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary is, “the termination of a pregnancy after, accompanied by, resulting in, or closely followed by the death of the embryo or fetus. This is the definition of abortion of which I will be reviewing its ethical status. After Roe vs Wade, the supreme court simultaneously decided that women have the right of privacy under the 14th amendment; making it acceptable to abort a pregnancy within the first trimester (Vaughn 119). The main argument on abortion is really a debate on human life, and whether it has value from the moment of conception. Each and every human life is composed of intrinsic value, and has the right to live. Killing an innocent human being is wrong, and fetuses are innocent human beings;making it morally wrong and impermissible to abort a fetus (Vaughn 143).

In modern day society we are often faced with moral issues (like abortion) that cause disagreement, and frustration between groups of people with opposing values and ideas. Some argue on the basis of pure subjectivity, while others argue from objective principles. Over time, great minds such as Immanuel Kant have illustrated moral principles that govern a person or groups behavior called ethics(Merriam-Webster).

Although there are many different styles of ethics, for this paper I will be taking a Deontological stance.The term “deontology” is derived from the greek word Deon which means “binding duty”(The Free-Dictionary). This means that the essence of deontological approaches to ethical theories is performing duties for duties sake. Kant illustrates what he means by duties in the following quote: “Duty is the necessity of acting from respect for the law”(Kant 88). Kant also defines moral duty as an objective ...

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... to maintain one’s life; and, in addition, everyone has also a direct inclination to do so.”(Kant 87) In this situation there is no inclination to preserve life, but the duty remains.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Vaughn, Lewis. Contemporary Moral Arguments: Readings in Ethical Issues. Second ed. New York: Oxford UP, 2013. Print.

Vaughn, Lewis, and Immanuel Kant. "Kant:Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals." Contemporary Moral Arguments: Readings in Ethical Issues. New York: Oxford UP, 2013. 85-93. Print.

Moreland, J.P, and William Lane Craig. Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview. N.p.: IVP Academic, (March 31, 2003). Print.

"Deontology." The Free Dictionary. Farlex, n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2013.

"Abortion." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2013.

"Ethics." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2013.