What Scientific Ethics indicates about the issue of Abortion:
Scientific Ethics when applied to this topic of abortion offers some clarity. { I speak of ethics as ‘scientific ‘ because it has absorbed within It [within its larger synthesis] the Science of the Moral Sense – which is a true science. The latter discipline is otherwise known as Moral Psychology, a field of research which designs experiments relevant to ethical theory, follows those designs through, and arrives at correlations that are empirical and factual.}
Ethics, the science, whose structure is presented in the first selection listed below, explains that one becomes ethical when one regards an individual as highly- valuable, Intrinsically valuable.
Then one proceeds to create value in one’s interactions with that other. One seeks out opportunities to uplift, enhance, help, be of service, sincerely compliment, build up, or in some way enrich the situation, the encounter, or the group relations. Ethical conduct results in human development and produces harmony in life.
Ethics not only indicates “Do no wrong,” but it also counsels “Do things right!” Be a good person; one that has a good character. And it spells out what this entails, and how to proceed to put the good into action. What in Physics is known as engineering, in Ethics is known as designing new institutions that make the world a better place. Ethics is about Justice and fairness.
With regard to abortion, if a man has a right to have a say as to the use of his body, and as to the destiny that may ensue - i.e., the impact that use may have - then why shouldn’t a woman have the same right?!
The male gender jas such a right; no one disputes that. Ethics teaches that we are to avoid have Double Standards. It is known as hypocrisy. It violates the Consistency Principle of scientific Ethics, the new paradigm for Ethical Theory about which we have multiple threads posted at this Forum.
When this derived principle is applied to social policy it indicates that women – members of what Ashley Montague referred to as “The Superior Sex” in his very scholarly, very well-argued, book of the same name.— women are entitled to the same human rights as men. Does anyone here want to deny this? Is this point controversial?
I believe this simplifies the whole subject. The ethicists, carefully applying the theory, conclude that a woman has the right to have a say in how her body is used. Period. If, after due consideration, and consultation, and discussions with her partner and/or her family, she decides to abort a fetus, that is her Right, her business! A fetus is not a child. That is why we have two distinct words for them. A fetus is a zygote with more cells. A child has a personality, a character, desires, preferences. Let us not confuse the two conncepts.
If an unwanted child is produced the cost to society is high: that child will very-likely eventually need therapy, commit crime, be a deviant of some sort, etc. Our current Foster Care system, and Adoption system, have loads of problems!! Not only is there a high economic price to pay, but also it is very painful for a woman to give birth, and to part with a child that she carried for nine months! Mental disturbance and guilt often ensues. For all these reasons, and more, avoid bringing another child into this world if one can’t afford to raise that child in good style and with deep love.
I would like to delete the earlier post of this thread (as well as its caption) - the original subject - along with this note, but do not know how to do it; so I hope the Administrator will do so–