A human abortion involves the removal or ejection of a fetus or an embryo from t

Question

A human abortion involves the removal or ejection of a fetus or an embryo from the uterus of a woman, resulting in the death of the embryo or fetus. In humans, usually the developing organism is called an embryo during the first two months of development, and afterwards, it is called a fetus. Intentional abortions are performed by chemical or surgical means, and millions are performed worldwide every year (Jones & Demarco, 2016) Using Kant's ethical theory, describe a scenario (hypothetical or real) for each of the following and give reasoning why Kant would a justify an abortion and b) not justify an abortion.

Explanation / Answer

Kant's ethical theory not to justify an abortion

Imagine a time-switch which bring us into the past in which I can talk to my mother when she is considering aborting me that would result in my birth. Assume that I am a 'very happy person' and that my existence and survival is veryvaluable to me. Also let us assume that my mother will not die if she goes through with the pregnancy. Then under these circumstances, I would ask her not to abort me. Indeed, I would rather morally advise her that she should not have an abortion, for my preference to live. If it's wrong for my mother to have an abortion in that circumstance, then it would be wrong for every woman in similar circumstances to have an abortion.

Kant's ethical theory to justify an abortion

Since most circumstances in which a woman considers getting an abortion are quite similar to the previous one, so abortion is generally wrong; it is wrong except in some cases in which the woman would die if she completes hert pregnancy, or the fetus would not grow into a person who would not be happy alive.

So overall we should be adopting a principle rejecting abortion in general, but allowing for exceptions

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