Is Abortion a Moral Issue? Why or Why Not?
Not all topics would be open for discussions and arguments. However, the one topic that people would always find something to say or argue about would be abortion. The argument would be either for or against; and as the familiar phrase we often hear: pro-life and pro-choice. As in any argument, and more so, for a good and valid argument, it must consist of three elements, (1) moral theory, (2) reason (s), and (3) conclusion (MacKinnon, 2012). Also, the argument must show a “logical connection” (MacKinnon, 2012, p. 8) between the reason or premise and the conclusion. At this point, I would not argue for or against abortion. Rather, I would argue that abortion is a moral issue since it addresses one fundamental human right, the right of all human beings to life. If abortion is the termination of the life of a fetus, abortion then is a moral issue for denying the fetus the potential to life. On the other hand, if carrying on and completing the pregnancy would “place undue burden” (MacKinnon, 2012, p. 200) on the woman and deny the woman the freedom to “live and enjoy one’s life” (MacKinnon, 2012, p. 200), then the restraint placed on abortion would be a moral issue for the woman.
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234) would shed light and support the arguments of both the pro-life and pro-abortion proponents. Questions would be raised whether the term “human” is applicable to the fetus or at what stage of development would the fetus be considered having a “moral status” ((Jones & Chaloner, 2007, p. 45)? So if the fetus indeed has the right to life, does the life of the fetus supersedes the right of the woman to enjoy one’s