ETHC 445 Week 3 Course Project Milestone – Abortion

Student Name

Chamberlain University

ETHC-445 Principles of Ethics

Prof. Name

Date

Abortion: A Moral Controversy

Abortion has long been one of the most divisive moral debates across societies. The controversy primarily arises from conflicting philosophical, ethical, and cultural perspectives. For this discussion, two ethical frameworks—ethical egoism and social contract ethics—are examined to understand how they approach the morality of abortion.

Medical advancements have made abortion procedures safer and more accessible, either through surgical interventions or pharmaceutical methods (Gugliotta, 1996). However, despite medical progress, the ethical dilemmas surrounding abortion remain unresolved. The United States alone witnesses nearly half a million abortions each year, highlighting the relevance of this debate in modern society (Rachels, 2018).

The discussion is further polarized by two major positions. Pro-life advocates argue that abortion equates to the unjust taking of life, often labeling it as “murder” (Rachels, 2018). Conversely, pro-choice supporters emphasize bodily autonomy, asserting that individuals should have the right to make personal decisions regarding their pregnancies (Rachels, 2018). These opposing arguments demonstrate the ethical complexity surrounding abortion and its moral justification.

Ethical Egoism and Abortion

What is Ethical Egoism?

Ethical egoism is based on the principle of self-interest. According to Rachels (2018), it proposes that moral decisions are justified if they advance one’s own well-being or personal goals. Within this framework, abortion may be morally defensible if it benefits the individual, regardless of broader societal concerns.

How Does Ethical Egoism View Abortion?

An ethical egoist would argue that a woman’s decision to undergo an abortion is justified if it aligns with her own needs—such as avoiding financial instability, pursuing career goals, or addressing health concerns. From this perspective, the emphasis is on autonomy and prioritizing one’s life circumstances rather than adhering to collective moral judgments.

Rachels (2018) also emphasizes that common sense morality—such as truthfulness, promise-keeping, and avoiding harm—adds nuance to this debate. For instance, while pro-life advocates argue abortion violates the “do no harm” principle, ethical egoists may counter that prioritizing the mother’s financial, emotional, or physical health prevents greater harm.

Social Contract Ethics and Abortion

What is Social Contract Ethics?

Social contract ethics emphasizes agreements among rational individuals to establish societal norms and maintain order (Rachels, 2018). Unlike ethical egoism, which focuses on the self, this framework highlights collective responsibilities and shared moral standards.

How Does Social Contract Ethics View Abortion?

From this perspective, the morality of abortion depends on the rules society adopts. For example:

• If a society views abortion as necessary to manage overpopulation or safeguard women’s health, abortion may be morally acceptable.

• Conversely, in societies struggling with declining populations, abortion may be discouraged as it threatens long-term survival.

McLean et al. (2019) further complicate this view by discussing cases where maternal health is endangered. If abortion places the mother’s life at risk, society must weigh whether protecting her survival takes precedence over maintaining restrictive norms.

Scenario Example:
A mother with limited financial resources considers abortion to avoid hardship for her existing children. While society may view abortion negatively, a social contract ethicist might prioritize the welfare of both the mother and her current dependents, arguing that this decision sustains overall social stability.

Ethical Considerations in Nursing and Abortion

Nursing professionals face unique challenges when addressing abortion-related care. The American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics requires nurses to prioritize patient welfare above personal beliefs (Zahedi et al., 2013). This guideline underscores that if a pregnancy threatens a woman’s life, performing or supporting an abortion may be ethically justified.

Healthcare providers must balance autonomy, beneficence, and nonmaleficence when engaging with patients seeking abortion. For instance:

• Autonomy: Respecting the patient’s decision regarding her body.

• Beneficence: Acting in ways that promote patient health and well-being.

• Nonmaleficence: Minimizing harm, even when the decision may conflict with the provider’s personal beliefs.

This ethical framework ensures that healthcare decisions are grounded in patient-centered care rather than external moral or political pressures.

References

Denis, L. (2007). Abortion and Kant’s Formula of Universal Law. Canadian Journal of Philosophy, 37(4), 547–579.

Gugliotta, A. (1996). Ethical dilemma of medical abortion. Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ), 155(1), 18–19.

Kain, P. (2009). Kant’s defense of human moral status. Journal of the History of Philosophy, 47(1), 59–101. https://doi.org/10.1353/hph.0.0083

McLean, D., Desalegn, D. N., Blystad, A., & Miljeteig, I. (2019). When the law makes doors slightly open: Ethical dilemmas among abortion service providers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. BMC Medical Ethics, 20(1), 60. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-019-0396-4

ETHC 445 Week 3 Course Project Milestone – Abortion

Rachels, J. (2018). The elements of moral philosophy (9th ed.). McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

Zahedi, F., Sanjari, M., Aala, M., Peymani, M., Aramesh, K., Parsapour, A., Maddah, S. S. B., Cheraghi, M. A., Mirzabeigi, G. H., Larijani, B., & Dastgerdi, M. V. (2013). The code of ethics for nurses. Iranian Journal of Public Health, 42(1), 1–8.