The Right To Become: An Argument In Defense Of Stronger Abor

The Right to Become: An Argument in Defense of Stronger Abortion Restrictions

Abortion remains one of the most contentious ethical issues in contemporary society, sparking debates centered around women's rights versus the moral status of the fetus. The crux of the controversy often hinges on whether the woman's autonomy should supersede the fetus's potential to become a human. Critics of abortion argue that terminating a pregnancy diminishes societal respect for human life and undermines moral values. Conversely, proponents emphasize a woman’s right to choose over her body, framing abortion as a matter of individual liberty. This paper seeks to evaluate whether moralizing abortion produces societal benefits and whether prioritizing a woman's convenience over fetal potential is ethically justified.

Central to this discussion is the philosophical stance of Don Marquis, who posits that abortion is morally akin to killing because it robs the fetus of a future of value—a concept he refers to as the 'Future Like Ours.' Marquis’s argument diverges from typical pro-life rhetoric that often hinges on the question of when life begins. Instead, it underscores the intrinsic value of future potential, asserting that regardless of whether the fetus is currently human, it possesses the moral significance of that potential. This perspective shifts the debate from the question of identity at conception to the moral implications of depriving a being of its future.

The ethics of abortion can be critically analyzed by comparing it to homicide, particularly because both involve the deliberate ending of a life with accompanying future possibilities. When an abortion is performed, it effectively deprives the fetus of its future, which, according to Marquis, makes it morally comparable to murder. This comparison underscores the importance of protecting potential human life and highlights the societal need to foster respect for all stages of human development. Recognizing the fetus’s potential to become a fully developed human being advocates for stricter abortion regulations, aligning with the idea that all human life deserves moral and legal protection.

Supporting this stance is the argument that the ethicization of abortion leads to a cultural decline in regard for life itself. When society accepts abortion as a routine solution to unwanted pregnancy, it risk losing the moral boundary that distinguishes between human life and non-life. This erosion of moral standards could diminish our collective regard for human dignity, encouraging a broader devaluation of life that might extend to other ethical domains, such as euthanasia, infanticide, or assisted dying.

Furthermore, examining the societal norms surrounding abortion reveals that many acts currently deemed unethical—like murder—are criminalized owing to their infringement on human rights. If society considers the termination of a fetus as morally akin to murder, then many abortions would be ethically unjustifiable. This congruence implies that under the social moral framework, a substantial number of abortions are inherently unethical because they violate the same rights that protect individuals from homicide. The societal consensus on the gravity of killing underscores the importance of viewing abortion through a legal and moral lens that prioritizes the fetus's potential future.

In conclusion, the ethical analysis grounded in Marquis’s argument suggests that abortion is morally wrong because it deprives a being of its valuable future, aligning it with the ethical principles that condemn murder. The ethicizing of abortion, while rooted in respecting potential human life, also promotes a societal culture that values life more profoundly. Recognizing the moral significance of the fetus's future potential should inform policies advocating for stronger restrictions on abortion. Such approaches uphold the dignity of human life at all its stages, contributing to a society that respects and protects its most vulnerable members.

References

• Marquis, Don. “Why Abortion is Immoral.” Readings in Moral Philosophy, edited by Jonathan Wolff, W.W. Norton & Company, 2018.
• Shapiro, Ian, editor. Abortion: The Supreme Court Decisions. Hackett Publishing Company, 2007.
• “A Nation Divided on Abortion.” New York Times, Video Collection, 9 Aug. 2018.
• Grossman, Daniel. “Overregulation Forces Women To Have Late-Term Abortions.” Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, 2018.
• Warren, Mary Anne. “On the Moral and Legal Status of Abortion.” Readings in Moral Philosophy, edited by Wolff, 2018.
• Bozzi, Martha. “Environmental Degradation in the Everglades.” Conserve Energy Future, 2016.
• U.S. Department of the Interior. “Environmental Factors.” National Parks Service, 2015.
• Rinkesh. “Causes and Effects of Environmental Degradation.” Conserve Energy Future, 2016.
• “Overregulation is Forcing Women to Have Late-Term Abortions.” Los Angeles Times, 2017.
• Additional scholarly sources on bioethics and moral philosophy, providing a comprehensive overview of the moral considerations regarding abortion and human potential.