Abortion is ending of a pregnancy, it is the most argumentative and complex issue in bioethics. It has divided the public into two “pro-life” and those who are okay with abortion. Abortion has been held in courts, caused violence and is applied in politics every day. Philosophers test claims about the morality of abortion though reason argument and careful reflection. Abortion was the first issue that brought evangelical Christians as well as other conservatives into the realm of bioethics. Christian generally condemned abortion although their ideas on the fetus and the personhood of the fetus have changed over the years. Christians especially roman Catholics assume that an unborn child is a full human being from the moment of conception. …show more content…
Making abortions illegal did not eliminate the need for abortions and was still being practiced illegally. Woman who are firm on not wanting the pregnancy have found ways and methods to abort which they often have to result to dangerous and deadly methods which include inserting knitting needles or coat hangers into the vagina and uterus, douching with dangerous solutions like lye, or swallowing strong drugs or chemicals. In 1960s woman began fighting for their rights which was inspired by the civil rights antiwar movement. Change came progressively and a few stated liberalized abortion laws under certain circumstances which included pregnancy from rape, incest, being under that age of 15 but the decision was ultimately left under the decision of the doctor and was still extremely costly. New York in 1970 passed a law that allowed abortion as long as it was before the 24th week and it had to be done by a doctor in a medical facility. Other states began to pass the same law and the women in need of abortions would go to these places where it was …show more content…
In Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle begins with asking, “what is the good of man?” and he responds to his question by stating “an activity of the soul in conformity with virtue” thus to understand ethics or what makes a person “good” we need to understand the meaning and what makes someone virtuous. Aristotle explained virtue as “a trait of character manifested in habitual action” thus not displayed occasionally or for personal advantage. Aritotle stressed the importance of a good upbringing noting that individuals are not fully responsible for moral character. An example of this would be children who were raised to act responsible and honestly are more likely to behave in such manner as adults. Those children who have been spoiled might grow up to be greedy as well as self-centered adults. Their fore their parents might have some responsibility for their moral character but ultimately they are the ones responsible for their behavior and have to suffer the consequences. Ultimately Virtue ethics does not tell us what we can and cannot do but rather it gives us an understanding of our character should be. This ethical system would not be for abortion as you’d be being selfish in doing so and show lack of