ETHC 445 Week 7 Course Project Milestone – Final Paper
Student Name
Chamberlain University
ETHC-445 Principles of Ethics
Prof. Name
Date
Abortion: A Moral and Social Debate
Abortion remains one of the most contentious ethical and political issues in contemporary society. Pro-choice advocates argue that a woman should have full autonomy over her body and the freedom to make personal decisions, including whether to continue or terminate a pregnancy. One central claim supporting abortion is that embryos lack sentience and consciousness, thus not qualifying as “persons” in a moral or legal sense. Conversely, pro-life supporters argue that life begins at conception, and abortion constitutes the unjust termination of a human life, which they equate with murder. This ethical division is deeply influenced by religious, legal, and philosophical beliefs.
The Moral Dilemma: Maria’s Situation
Case Overview
Maria, an 18-year-old woman, engaged in consensual sexual relationships through dating apps. She discovered she was pregnant and faced an emotional crisis. Fearful of her deeply religious parents’ reaction and societal judgment, she sought an abortion in secret. Initially, she took abortion pills but later opted for surgical intervention due to inefficacy. The psychological aftermath left her in emotional turmoil—feeling guilt, depression, and shame. Her story illustrates how restricted access and social stigma surrounding abortion can negatively affect women’s physical and mental health.
Ethical Perspectives on Maria’s Dilemma
To determine the most moral course of action, we analyze Maria’s situation through various ethical frameworks: Ethical Egoism, Social Contract Theory, Utilitarianism, Natural Law Theory, and Aristotle’s Golden Mean.
Ethical Egoism
Ethical egoism maintains that individuals should act in accordance with their self-interest (Rachels, 2018). From this perspective, Maria’s decision to have an abortion was morally justified because it prioritized her well-being over societal and familial expectations. Ethical egoism does not account for external judgments; it emphasizes personal autonomy and psychological needs. Therefore, Maria was morally right to choose abortion if she believed it was the best decision for her future.
Social Contract Theory
Social contract theory asserts that individuals agree to adhere to societal rules and moral responsibilities in exchange for the benefits of living in a structured society (Stark, 2019). According to this view, abortion breaches the moral obligations tied to protecting human life. Maria’s pregnancy, while unintended, represented a life that the social contract considers valuable. Hence, from this standpoint, she had a moral duty to preserve that life and avoid terminating it, even at personal cost.
Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism, rooted in welfarism and consequentialism, evaluates morality based on outcomes and the maximization of overall well-being (Felzmann, 2017). Applied to Maria’s case, if abortion brought her peace, safety, and restored her mental health, then it was a morally right choice. This view does not emphasize fetal rights but focuses on the overall happiness and welfare of those involved, primarily the mother.
Natural Law Theory
Natural law theory argues that morality is derived from universal human values and divine command (Irving, 2000). It often opposes abortion, positing that human life begins at conception and is sacred regardless of the circumstances. However, in exceptional cases—such as rape or when the mother’s life is at risk—it can permit abortion. Maria’s case might not qualify under natural law for an abortion, unless her mental health is significantly jeopardized.
Aristotle’s Golden Mean
Aristotle’s ethical philosophy promotes finding a virtue-based balance between extremes (Aristotle, 1999). Maria exhibited moral courage by choosing her autonomy over societal expectations. Although her decision might seem selfish to some, it was a rational choice made amid emotional and social pressures. According to the Golden Mean, her actions fell between cowardice (avoiding action due to fear) and recklessness (acting without thought), making her decision morally acceptable.
Ethical Theories Compared
| Theory | Core Belief | View on Abortion | Application to Maria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethical Egoism | Morality is determined by self-interest | Supports abortion if aligned with personal needs | Maria’s choice is justified if it protects her well-being |
| Social Contract Theory | Societal obligations shape moral conduct | Opposes abortion as it breaches societal duty to unborn life | Views abortion as immoral; Maria should accept responsibility |
| Utilitarianism | Actions are moral if they benefit the majority | Supports abortion for maximizing well-being | Her mental and emotional stability validates the abortion decision |
| Natural Law Theory | Morality stems from divine/natural human order | Generally opposes abortion unless life is in danger | Likely opposes abortion unless her health is at serious risk |
| Aristotle’s Golden Mean | Virtue lies between extremes | Emphasizes balanced decision-making | Maria showed rational courage by prioritizing her needs over fear and stigma |
Abortion Ethics in Practice: Case of Abuse and Minors
A Second Dilemma
In another disturbing scenario, a 16-year-old girl became pregnant after enduring months of sexual abuse by her stepfather. Due to legal and parental restrictions, she attempted an unsafe self-managed abortion. Her mother discovered her unconscious, leading to hospitalization. The ethical tension here lies between maintaining patient confidentiality and reporting abuse for legal intervention.
Professional Nursing Ethics
According to the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics (2001), nurses must protect patient autonomy while also upholding legal and moral duties. In this case, the nurse’s primary responsibility is to the patient’s safety and well-being. Given the suspected abuse and the patient’s minor status, reporting to authorities and social services becomes a legal and moral obligation, even if it conflicts with the patient’s wish for secrecy.
Ethical Theories Reapplied
Utilitarianism
The greatest good is served by reporting the abuse to protect the child and prevent further harm. Although it may breach trust temporarily, the broader benefit—rescue and rehabilitation—outweighs individual discomfort.
Natural Law Theory
Abuse is inherently immoral and must be addressed. The nurse, acting in accordance with moral intuition and divine law, should report the incident to uphold the child’s right to safety.
Aristotle’s Golden Mean
The balanced action here is not secrecy or immediate punishment but a careful, supportive intervention. Reporting the case through proper channels (e.g., social worker) helps navigate between extremes and respects both justice and compassion.
Conclusion
Both scenarios explored present complex ethical dilemmas. While personal beliefs, cultural values, and religious ideologies deeply influence abortion debates, ethical theories offer structured ways to evaluate moral decisions. Ethical egoism and utilitarianism support a woman’s autonomy, while social contract and natural law prioritize fetal rights and societal norms. Aristotle’s Golden Mean encourages a balanced approach amid competing values. In both Maria’s and the minor’s cases, support systems, professional ethics, and compassionate care must be prioritized to ensure their physical and emotional safety.
References
American Nurses Association (ANA). (2001). Code of ethics for nurses. American Nurses Association, Washington, D.C.
Aristotle. (1999). Nicomachean ethics (H. Rackham, Trans.). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Begun, S., et al. (2017). Exploring U.S. social work students’ sexual attitudes and abortion viewpoints. The Journal of Sex Research, 54(6), 752–763.
Castuera, I. (2017). A social history of Christian thought on abortion: Ambiguity vs. certainty in moral debate. American Journal of Economics & Sociology, 76(1).
Denis, L. (2008). Animality and agency: A Kantian approach to abortion. Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, 76(1), 117–137.
ETHC 445 Week 7 Course Project Milestone – Final Paper
Elarousy, W., & Abed, S. (2019). Barriers that inhibit reporting suspected cases of child abuse among nurses in a public hospital. Journal of Nursing, 25(6), 413–421.
English, J. (2019). Abortion evolution: How Roe v. Wade has come to support a pro-life and pro-choice position. Creighton Law Review, 53, 157–210.
Felzmann, H. (2017). Utilitarianism as an approach to ethical decision-making in health care. SpringerLink. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11019-017-9760-5
Irving, D. N. (2000). Abortion: Correct application of natural law theory. The Linacre Quarterly, 67(1), 45–51.
Manninen, B. A. (2014). A Kantian defense of abortion rights with respect for intrauterine life. Diametros, (39), 70–92. https://doi.org/10.13153/diam.39.2014.565
McCurdy, S. (2016). Abortion and public health: Time for another look. The Linacre Quarterly, 83(1), 20–25.
Mucciaroni, G., et al. (2018). Framing morality policy issues: State legislative debates on abortion restrictions. Policy Sciences, 52, 171–189.
ETHC 445 Week 7 Course Project Milestone – Final Paper
Rachels, J. (2018). The elements of moral philosophy (9th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
Stark, P. (2019). Do unborn humans have rights? Appearance, ability, and attitude don’t justify lethal discrimination. MCCL.org.
Wilson, M., et al. (2018). How the ANA’s code of ethics applies to South Carolina nurses in clinical practice. CINAHL, 25(4), 8–9.