Abortion is defined as, "a miscarriage, usually intentional" (Webster, 2006). While another dictionary defines abortion as "the termination of a pregnancy, resulting in the death of the fetus or embryo" (Merriam-Webster). However, could the definition possibly include the words, "voluntary murder of a human life"? Abortions have been a part of society since ancient times and have always been surrounded by controversy including today. Philosophers have long debated the issue of when life begins and when the fertilized egg is considered a human life. Even today, philosophers such as Peter Singer who view abortions as being justified in some cases and Alasdair MacIntyre who believes that debating whether abortions are right or wrong is considered a "no-win" situation. The question remains, who is one to judge and is the "fertilized egg" in a woman considered just cells or a fetus, or is considered a human life? This is the question that whose answer has long been sought after and has caused many legal cases to be fought, one such as Roe vs. Wade, which was considered the landmark case for abortion.
Gestational age may determine which abortion metho...
Soviet poster circa 1925. Title translation: "Abor...
Photo from the 2004 March for Women's Lives, taken...One that Pro-Choice and Pro-Life activists have long debated, fought, murdered, and died over. I will be discussing my own personal viewpoint on the matter of abortion, two other opposing viewpoints of abortion, and what society may be like if the majority accepted and lived by my viewpoint on abortions.
Would I be considered a philosopher if I have many different positions on abortions? I am not sure if I am allowed to have numerous opinions or viewpoints on abortions or if I would be considered by activists as Pro-Life or Pro-Choice but this is a subject that is extremely hard and so controversial for me to just accept on side of the issue at hand. During my...