Ethics of Abortion
Abortion is a contentious topic that draws support on either side of the divide. Supporters
and opponents of abortion present arguments that justify their position on the matter. The
question that still remains at the center of the debate is whether abortion is a morally right thing.
People on each side of the debate have credible reasons for being pro-life or pro-abortion. The
reasons that the two teenage women in the case studies give as justifications for their actions
have support from virtue ethics, utilitarian ethics, justice, and free will.
Virtue Ethics
Virtue ethics apply to abortion because the decision made to abort or keep the baby is a
matter of character. It is likely for a person with virtuous behavior to take the right action in the
event of an ethical dilemma. Ainley (2017) presents virtue ethics as “a way of thinking about
how to behave well which focuses on the character of moral agents and the nature of the good
life” (p. 1). Virtue ethics places emphasis on leading a virtuous life without necessarily imposing
rules. As a result, solving ethical dilemmas becomes a matter of character in which case
decision-making is at the discretion of the person involved. Charlotte Byrne chose to carry her
baby to term and give birth despite being 18 years old (Rhodes, 2008). She opted for this option
because it was the right choice for her regardless of her age. She expressed reservations about
aborting because of her moral character. On the other hand, Sarah Moore opted to abort and
showed conviction this was the right choice given her age, aspirations, and readiness for
parenthood. The choice is a reflection of her character. It implies that she would probably have
pursued an abortion regardless of its legality. Moore does not have a moral character because she
is willing to terminate the life of her unborn baby.
Utilitarian Ethics
, Utilitarian ethics also apply to the debate on abortion. These ethics base the decision on
whether to abort on the degree of pleasure or pain. They might allow or discourage abortion
depending on the level of pleasure or pain that a decision inflicts on the fetus, parents, family,
and society. Khan (2019) further acknowledges that “moral permissibility or impermissibility of
having an abortion depends on the total net amount of utility produced by each of the possible
choices” (p. 5). The teenager who chose to abort the baby has support from utilitarian ethics
because giving birth at her age and current situation produces limited utility. The fact that the
father began avoiding her implies that he might abandon her (Rhodes, 2008). The teenager also
has no resources to support her baby, given that she is still in college. She might also have to quit
college to raise her baby. The pregnancy might also come as a surprise to her parents and cause
them agony considering her age. The case of Charlotte Byrne, the teenager who chose to give
birth is a clear demonstration of the troubles a young mother experiences. Although she
expresses admiration for her baby, she still wishes that the pregnancy would have come later in
life (Rhodes, 2008). The pain as expressed by the struggles of being a single and teenage mother
justifies the decision to secure an abortion.
Justice
Justice also applies to the abortion debate. Tardiff (2015) asserts that justice targets to
bring fairness whenever there is inequity or the risk of disequilibrium. Justice occurs when the
pregnancy progresses to full term and mother and fetus continue their lives as a healthy set.
However, the decision to abort introduces a disequilibrium in the element of justice because the
mother chooses life for herself and leaves the baby to die (Tardiff, 2015). The one-sided nature
of this decision contravenes the element of fairness. The case of two teenagers in the case studies
is a manifestation of justice on the two extremes. Charlotte Byrne chooses to continue with her
Abortion is a contentious topic that draws support on either side of the divide. Supporters
and opponents of abortion present arguments that justify their position on the matter. The
question that still remains at the center of the debate is whether abortion is a morally right thing.
People on each side of the debate have credible reasons for being pro-life or pro-abortion. The
reasons that the two teenage women in the case studies give as justifications for their actions
have support from virtue ethics, utilitarian ethics, justice, and free will.
Virtue Ethics
Virtue ethics apply to abortion because the decision made to abort or keep the baby is a
matter of character. It is likely for a person with virtuous behavior to take the right action in the
event of an ethical dilemma. Ainley (2017) presents virtue ethics as “a way of thinking about
how to behave well which focuses on the character of moral agents and the nature of the good
life” (p. 1). Virtue ethics places emphasis on leading a virtuous life without necessarily imposing
rules. As a result, solving ethical dilemmas becomes a matter of character in which case
decision-making is at the discretion of the person involved. Charlotte Byrne chose to carry her
baby to term and give birth despite being 18 years old (Rhodes, 2008). She opted for this option
because it was the right choice for her regardless of her age. She expressed reservations about
aborting because of her moral character. On the other hand, Sarah Moore opted to abort and
showed conviction this was the right choice given her age, aspirations, and readiness for
parenthood. The choice is a reflection of her character. It implies that she would probably have
pursued an abortion regardless of its legality. Moore does not have a moral character because she
is willing to terminate the life of her unborn baby.
Utilitarian Ethics
, Utilitarian ethics also apply to the debate on abortion. These ethics base the decision on
whether to abort on the degree of pleasure or pain. They might allow or discourage abortion
depending on the level of pleasure or pain that a decision inflicts on the fetus, parents, family,
and society. Khan (2019) further acknowledges that “moral permissibility or impermissibility of
having an abortion depends on the total net amount of utility produced by each of the possible
choices” (p. 5). The teenager who chose to abort the baby has support from utilitarian ethics
because giving birth at her age and current situation produces limited utility. The fact that the
father began avoiding her implies that he might abandon her (Rhodes, 2008). The teenager also
has no resources to support her baby, given that she is still in college. She might also have to quit
college to raise her baby. The pregnancy might also come as a surprise to her parents and cause
them agony considering her age. The case of Charlotte Byrne, the teenager who chose to give
birth is a clear demonstration of the troubles a young mother experiences. Although she
expresses admiration for her baby, she still wishes that the pregnancy would have come later in
life (Rhodes, 2008). The pain as expressed by the struggles of being a single and teenage mother
justifies the decision to secure an abortion.
Justice
Justice also applies to the abortion debate. Tardiff (2015) asserts that justice targets to
bring fairness whenever there is inequity or the risk of disequilibrium. Justice occurs when the
pregnancy progresses to full term and mother and fetus continue their lives as a healthy set.
However, the decision to abort introduces a disequilibrium in the element of justice because the
mother chooses life for herself and leaves the baby to die (Tardiff, 2015). The one-sided nature
of this decision contravenes the element of fairness. The case of two teenagers in the case studies
is a manifestation of justice on the two extremes. Charlotte Byrne chooses to continue with her
