Ethical Perspectives on Abortion: A Comparative Analysis

General Overview

“Abortion or induced abortion, by definition is the deliberate termination of a pregnancy via surgical or medical means” (Vaughn, 2013, p. 163). For many years debating the legality and morality of abortion has caused uproars both publically and privately among politicians, religious leaders and the general public. This paper is intended to bring insight to the subject from two ethical theories, Subjective Relativism and Virtue Ethics. After reviewing the subsequent material you will realize abortion in cases of rape is absolutely morally acceptable.

Let’s begin to understand the different subcategories of abortion. Induced abortion from now on referred to just as abortion, is purposely terminating a life will be the type of

abortion we will review in this paper. Spontaneous abortion is the unintentional and most often referred to as a miscarriage. Finally, therapeutic abortion is performed to sustain the life of the mother.
Brining a new life into this world can be one of the most beautiful experiences in the world. This may not necessarily be true for all women, to some it may become a horrific reminder of an unspeakable act that cut their soles and scarred them for life. If this new life is a product of rape, the mother may relive that night over and over causing anguish and despair for the rest of her life. Many arguments concerning abortion often stem from questioning the overall morality of termination the pregnancy. Here are a few questions- When is the fetus considered a person with respect to having a right to live? What are a woman’s rights in regards to her body?
Subjective Relativism
Subjective relativism based on the opinion that an act is morally acceptable if one approves of the act.

“Subjective relativism says that action X is right for Ann if she approves of it yet wrong for Greg if he disapproves of it. (Vaughn, 2013, p. 23) This moral perspective is foolproof, based on the premise that individuals can each have their own views and beliefs yet both perspectives are without judgement. Therefore, if I state that cases of abortion that are a product of rape are morally acceptable then one cannot argue with me. This theory is solely based on personal perspectives of the subject, there is no debating legal rights of the mother or the fetus in question. This theory is can be best summed up by simply stating “That is your

opinion”.
On the flip side of subjective relativism, if one states they believe abortion in cases of rape in unacceptable then they are entitled to that idea. A subjective relativist can have the opposing opinion from all others and their ideals are just as “right” as anyone else’s. There is no need to reason out the subject because you do not have anything to argue. “If to Ann strawberry ice cream taste good, then it taste good (to her). If to Greg strawberry ice cream taste bad, then it is bad (to him). Likewise, the morality of an action depends on Ann and Greg’s moral tastes. (Vaughn, 2013, p.23). In conclusion one can have the opinion that for them cases of abortion as a product of rape are not morally acceptable due to the fact that subjective relativism is based on “individual opinions”.
Virtue Ethics
The theory of Virtue Ethics is a moral theory based upon principles of how people become virtuous. Virtue ethics has ancient roots dating back to Aristotle, who believed that moral virtue ethics could be learned through practice over time. A virtue by definition according to our text is “a stable disposition to act and feel according to some ideal or model of excellence. It is a deeply embedded character trait that can affect countless situations.” (Vaughn, 2013 p. 137) Virtue ethics is not always based on whether an act is completely morally right or wrong, but if the motives for the action were completed out of love, loyalty, sympathy or courage not out of duty.
The virtue that I would like to examine concerning the moral acceptance of abortion in cases of rape is courage. Courage, is defined as “the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.” (Courage) A woman who faces abortion as a consequence of rape shows courageous behavior in a way no other person would comprehend. She faces many fears, pain and danger for going through the actual procedure of abortion. As well as, being brave for having to face the outside world which often holds judgement based on controversial topic of abortion. She is courageous in the fact that not everyone would be able to abort a child growing inside them, yet the painful memories that would accompany the birth of this child may be too much for one to bear mentally. “Aristotle’s notion of a moral virtue is what he calls the “Golden Mean,” a balance between two behavior extremes. A moral virtue (courage for example) is the midpoint between excess (an excess of courage, or foolhardiness) and a deficit (a deficit of courage, cowardice)” (Vaughn, 2013, p. 137) in other words moderation in everything. This women who chooses to have an abortion may be a good kindhearted woman who just cannot bear to raise a child born from such a heinous act that happened to her, she is courageous for no matter her decision she will have to live with the decision for the rest of her life.
Now for the other side of a virtue ethicist; many may feel that abortion in case of rape does not show courage but cowardice, for if a person was to be courageous they would birth and care for this child and overcome the tragic act of rape. Turning the situation into a situation of love and compassion for this child. A virtue ethicist might feel that the real courage was to put the horrible memories of the rape behind them and not worry about what the rest of the world thinks or says of the whole situation, because it is wrong to end a life. The courage for a woman would be not to let the act of rape victimize her but to use it as means to take a bad situation and find the good in it, by not having an abortion and raising this gift of a child that has been given to her, because any life is a gift.
Summary
Abortion is a hot button topic often avoided to prevent arguments. While one side of subjective relativism states that, if one believes abortion is morally acceptable then it is and on the other side, if one says abortion is not morally acceptable then it is not. Subjective relativism is pretty cut and dry but not always practical. How can it be both acceptable to one and not to another? Too often some ideals are just unacceptable and they need to be reasoned objectively leaving room for error in subjective relativism.
Then there is the theories of virtue ethics in which we strive for Eudaimonia, or the greatest good which is happiness. “Aristotle argues that the true goal of humans- their greatest good is Eudaimonia, which means “happiness” or “flourishing” and refers to the full realization of the good life.” (Vaughn, 2013, 136) When evaluating courage as a virtue in relation to abortions and rape one can be seen as achieving eudemonia, if one could terminate the pregnancy and try to just put the whole experience behind them. But on the flip side it would be courageous to face the pregnancy and deal with all the feelings from the rape in an attempt to achieve eudemonia. Going through with the abortion would end a life which would not achieve happiness and not show courage. Clearly this is not a transparent topic and it will be debated over and over in many social circles.
Personal Perspective
Abortion is a personal topic for me, at one point in my life I had to make the decision whether or not to have an abortion.

I chose not to and had twins at the age of 18, however my case had nothing to do with rape. As a woman I find myself continually come back to the notion that it is my body, my choice and not a matter of anyone else’s concern. I did find myself at times swaying back and forth because I do think that life is precious, and that anytime God gives the opportunity to raise a child it is truly a gift. I however cannot fathom the idea of having a child as a product of rape, every time you see that child you would be reminded of that terrible experience. Abortion is a difficult decision it changes your life completely one way or the other. Personally for me the only reason I would even think about abortion would be in a case of

rape.