This thread is similar to my previous thread on same sex marriage.
What are the secular (as in, non-religious) reasons for and against legalising abortion? I outlined some for both sides below to kick start the thread. I put it in the following format: first, I outline the reasons for a particular side, then I follow it with objections to each reason given. Obviously, this is not exhaustive and I tried to keep it brief, so that it serves more as a springboard for further discussion as opposed to a complete case or argument for each of the points. Of course, if you have any other secular reason or argument for or against legalising abortion, then please present it for discussion.
Reasons against legalising abortion
1. Human life begins at conception, so ending this life by means of abortion is akin to murder.
2. Adoption is a viable alternative to abortion.
3. Abortion can result in medical complications later in life for the woman involved.
4. Legalising abortion will inevitably lead to selective abortion based on genetic abnormalities.
Objections
Obj 1. The concept of personhood is different from the concept of human life, personhood does not applies to the fetus as it cannot be regarded as a fully separate entity from the mother.
Obj 2. This assumes that the only reason a woman would want to get an abortion is to avoid raising a child. But this isn’t the case, the full nine month pregnancy process is itself full of complications and costs and it requires a commitment that some women are simply not prepared to make at the point in life when they decide to have an abortion.
Obj 3. Abortion is a safe medical procedure with a very low risk of complications and no real effect on the health of the woman in the future.
Obj 4. This is a slippery slope argument; both are different issues and it doesn’t necessary follow from legalising abortion that full blown selective abortion will be implemented.
Reasons for legalising abortion
1. A fetus is not a person, it is also incapable of feeling pain until about the 26th week, well after the time when most abortions are performed.
2. A woman’s ability to have control of her own body, which includes her ability to decide wether or not to have an abortion, is a fundamental right.
3. A woman who is denied abortion is put both at a financial disadvantage and under a heavy emotional and physiological burden.
4. Legalising abortion reduces the dangers and injury caused by unsafe and illegal abortion procedures by giving women access to modern and safe abortion procedures.
Objections
Obj 1. Some studies show that the fetus can actually feel pain during the later part of the first trimester, when most abortions take place.
Obj 2. A woman’s right to have control over her own body should also include taking the necessary measures to prevent unwanted pregnancies by the responsible use of contraception or, if contraceptive methods are not available, abstinence.
Obj 3. Abortions themselves often cause psychological pain and stress and women who have them tend to regret it later in life.
Obj 4. There is no need to opt for such an unsafe and illegal procedure when the safer and more viable alternatives of adoption is a possibility.
What are the secular (as in, non-religious) reasons for and against legalising abortion? I outlined some for both sides below to kick start the thread. I put it in the following format: first, I outline the reasons for a particular side, then I follow it with objections to each reason given. Obviously, this is not exhaustive and I tried to keep it brief, so that it serves more as a springboard for further discussion as opposed to a complete case or argument for each of the points. Of course, if you have any other secular reason or argument for or against legalising abortion, then please present it for discussion.
Reasons against legalising abortion
1. Human life begins at conception, so ending this life by means of abortion is akin to murder.
2. Adoption is a viable alternative to abortion.
3. Abortion can result in medical complications later in life for the woman involved.
4. Legalising abortion will inevitably lead to selective abortion based on genetic abnormalities.
Objections
Obj 1. The concept of personhood is different from the concept of human life, personhood does not applies to the fetus as it cannot be regarded as a fully separate entity from the mother.
Obj 2. This assumes that the only reason a woman would want to get an abortion is to avoid raising a child. But this isn’t the case, the full nine month pregnancy process is itself full of complications and costs and it requires a commitment that some women are simply not prepared to make at the point in life when they decide to have an abortion.
Obj 3. Abortion is a safe medical procedure with a very low risk of complications and no real effect on the health of the woman in the future.
Obj 4. This is a slippery slope argument; both are different issues and it doesn’t necessary follow from legalising abortion that full blown selective abortion will be implemented.
Reasons for legalising abortion
1. A fetus is not a person, it is also incapable of feeling pain until about the 26th week, well after the time when most abortions are performed.
2. A woman’s ability to have control of her own body, which includes her ability to decide wether or not to have an abortion, is a fundamental right.
3. A woman who is denied abortion is put both at a financial disadvantage and under a heavy emotional and physiological burden.
4. Legalising abortion reduces the dangers and injury caused by unsafe and illegal abortion procedures by giving women access to modern and safe abortion procedures.
Objections
Obj 1. Some studies show that the fetus can actually feel pain during the later part of the first trimester, when most abortions take place.
Obj 2. A woman’s right to have control over her own body should also include taking the necessary measures to prevent unwanted pregnancies by the responsible use of contraception or, if contraceptive methods are not available, abstinence.
Obj 3. Abortions themselves often cause psychological pain and stress and women who have them tend to regret it later in life.
Obj 4. There is no need to opt for such an unsafe and illegal procedure when the safer and more viable alternatives of adoption is a possibility.
). Even if I took every precaution to reduce my chances of becoming pregnant short of abstinence or celibacy, no one has the right to take away from me the ability to make choices about what happens to my body if I become pregnant if I don't want to remain so. Only I get to make that choice, and the only person for whom I can make that choice is myself. I don't get to choose what others do to their bodies just like they don't get to make that choice for me.
