Introduction
Abortion is a highly contentious and intricate moral conundrum that raises questions about the worth of human life, autonomy, and the freedom to seek treatment. The debate over abortion is universal, with controversy, and for good reason. In order to completely comprehend and assess the ethical repercussions of this circumstance, it is essential to consider a variety of philosophical, theological, and humanitarian points of view.
This report’s objective is to investigate and assess the many points of view concerning abortion. This will involve looking at various philosophical beliefs by Plato, Aristotle, and Judith Jarvis Thomson. Additionally, the study will cover possible humanitarian and theological perspectives. The physiological effects, in addition to the ramifications of the situation for the law, will be investigated in this paper.
Philosophical Perspectives
For centuries, philosophers have debated the ethical and legal consequences of abortion, and different thinkers have reached different conclusions. Plato’s “Republic” expresses the belief that the soul is eternal and existed before the body (Ilyas and Widaningsih 15). The soul is only embodied when a person is conceived. In his opinion, abortion became morally permissible as a kind of birth control only after the soul entered the body (Ilyas and Widaningsih 14).
On the other hand, Aristotle adopted a more biological stance, arguing that the value of a person’s life is only as valuable as the quality of that life. If the fetus’s life was going to be so filled with troubles that it would never have the chance to experience joy. He reasoned that it would be better not to have it at all (Ilyas and Widaningsih 16).
Another helpful comparison that can be applied to this situation is Judith Jarvis Thomson’s “sick violinist” metaphor. This image is critical to Thomson’s argument that one person’s right to physical autonomy should not precede another’s right to life (Ilyas and Widaningsih 16). She believes that a woman should not be compelled to carry a pregnancy to term against her will and that a sick violinist should not be forced to remain connected to them to save their life. She compares it to the thought of being obliged to stay connected to a sick violinist in order to save their life.
Theological Perspectives
Theological stance on abortion in the context of rape raises crucial considerations regarding the value of human life and the role of divine intervention. The argument, which asserts that God is the one who gives life and that others have no right to interfere with this process, is an excellent example of the idea that life is sacred and has inherent value. The concept that life is a gift from a deity or other divine source contradicts the decision to abort a pregnancy under any circumstances.
The Catholic Church believes that abortion is always evil (Fiala 216). However, several Protestant groups take a more nuanced approach. They believe that abortion can be ethically permissible in certain circumstances, such as when the mother’s life is in danger or she has been raped.
Humanitarian Perspectives
Concerns about the morality of abortion, particularly as a result of rape, are a prominent topic in both pro-abortion and anti-abortion humanitarian arguments. Several techniques within the humanitarian framework provide pertinent perspectives from which to investigate this problem. One argument might be made that the victimized teen girl would be better off if she had had an abortion, since she would avoid the embarrassment and inconvenience of having an unexpected pregnancy. This technique prioritizes the mother’s safety and dignity, arguing that allowing the pregnancy to continue to term will only bring the victim additional pain over what she has already endured (Fiala 219).
The opposite point of view is that the child should not be born at all, given the risk of significant societal stigma and other consequences associated with being the victim of rape. This point of view emphasizes the well-being of the potential baby and says that not carrying the pregnancy to term is desirable. Humanitarians take a slightly different approach, stating that terminating a healthy pregnancy is wrong since it goes against nature. This point of view holds that every human life is sacred and that an unborn child’s right to life must be protected at all costs, regardless of the circumstances.
The Girl’s Argument
There is a possibility that the girl will view her pregnancy as a form of retribution for the harm that was done to her. Since the girl may feel that continuing the pregnancy to term will simply compound the trauma she has already endured, this viewpoint emphasizes the significance of individual autonomy and the ability to seek assistance. The philosophical ideas of bodily liberty and the right to select one’s course in life are compatible with this point of view. John Stuart Mill’s concept of harm, which maintains that people should avoid inflicting harm on others, can be used to support a similar line of reasoning (Bell 165). She is within her rights to take precautions to safeguard her physical and emotional well-being against the unfavorable impacts of the pregnancy.
Physiological Effects
When a woman becomes pregnant due to trauma, such as rape, it can have far-reaching effects on her body, mind, and spirit. Rape’s long-term repercussions highlight the need to consider the consequences of having child care. Therefore, it is crucial to consider the individual’s physiological impacts while determining the appropriate course of action in the case of abortion in the setting of rape. It is essential to consider the physiological impact when making moral decisions because ignoring it could lead to a choice that causes more harm to the individual.
Legal Implications
Roe v. Wade was a seminal case in the United States Supreme Court’s history since it legalized abortion and significantly influenced the ongoing discussion on the topic (Cohen et al.325). The ruling legalized a woman’s freedom to choose whether or not to have an abortion based on her beliefs and values (Cohen et al.325). While the judgment was widely celebrated, various attempts have been made to limit abortion access, especially in situations of rape, since it was issued.
Abortion restrictions in situations of rape can range from highly restricted in certain areas to highly liberal in others. Since the law addressing abortion in the scenario of rape is constantly evolving, those seeking abortions in this circumstance should be aware of the current state of the law and its possible consequences. The state’s participation and obligation to defend individuals’ rights and enable access to safe and lawful medical procedures should also be considered in light of the legal consequences of the ethical problem.
Conclusion
The moral conundrum posed by abortion in the setting of rape is intricate and multi-layered, and several philosophical, theological, and humanitarian points of view each provide their unique viewpoint on addressing the problem. In the end, the moral conundrum that is posed by the issue of abortion in the setting of rape calls for a sensitive and nuanced response that strikes a balance between the safety and respect of all of the people involved.
Works Cited
Bell, Melina Constantine. “John Stuart Mill’s Harm Principle and Free Speech: Expanding the Notion of Harm.” Utilitas, vol. 33, no. 2, 2020, pp. 162–179. Web.
Cohen, I. Glenn, et al. “The End of Roe v Wade and New Legal Frontiers on the Constitutional Right to Abortion.” JAMA, vol. 328, no. 4, 2022, p. 325. Web.
Fiala, Andrew. “Legal but Rare.” International Journal of Applied Philosophy, vol. 33, no. 2, 2019, pp. 203–220. Web.
Ilyas, Amir, and Yuyun Widaningsih. “Freeing Women of Rape Victims from the Burden of Psychology through the Legalization of the Abortion Acquisition Law in Rape Victim Pregnant Women.” Enfermería Clínica, vol. 30, 2020, pp. 14–17. 018. Web.