Essay
A level RE Apply Aquinas’ natural law to abortion (20)
- Module
- Philosophy and ethics
- Institution
- PEARSON (PEARSON)
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Apply natural law to the issue of abortion (20)Natural law is an ethical system that provides a hybrid approach of both deontological and
teleological aspects. This means that Natural Law is both duty based and focuses on the
consequences of a moral agent's actions. The deontological aspect of Natural Law are
demonstrated through the five primary precepts, which are used as a moral guide for ethical
dilemmas such as abortion. Abortion is defined as the deliberate termination of a pregnancy
and, therefore, could be perceived to destroy/kill human life. Aquinas' Natural law, asserts that
actions which break primary precepts are morally wrong and those that adhere are morally
acceptable. This essay will apply natural law to the issue of abortion.
Natural law is absolutist as it identifies right actions by the means of primary precepts. These 5
precepts apply to all human beings and essentially lead humans to their telos. Aquinas derives
these principles from rational thought, based on the premise of "doing good and avoiding evil".
By fulfilling these precepts, Aquinas contends that individuals are a step closer to "God's
image". When applying these precepts to the issue of abortion- it first and foremost breaks the
initial precept of "preservation of life". This is due to the intentional ending of human life, causing
it to be comparable to murder. Mackie summarised this in his view: "the unborn child is already
a human being, a person, a bearer of rights, and that abortion is therefore murder". This
suggests that natural law condemns abortion.
Nevertheless, there is much controversy regarding what stage the foetus becomes a human
and whether abortion can be considered murder. However, Mason and Laurie assert "while the
zygote may not be a person, there is no logical alternative to regarding it as the first stage in
human life".Thus, as Natural law finds its origins in divine law, abortion directly challenges the
Decalogue which states, "do not kill". This is supported by the Catholic Church, who are avid
supporters of Natural Law, and also argue that life begins at conception. This means all
abortions undermine the sanctity of life.
Kainz argues that if the zygote is viewed as a life, abortion is thus unacceptable. The only
exception to this would be if the mother's life was at risk (doctrine of double effect). To save her
life would also satisfy the first precept (preserving life). He also argues that Natural Law permits
abortion in cases of rape. He contends that if all women have the "right" to 'reproduction",
another precept, this implies a level of consent. As rape is defined as being with a lack of
consent, the mother should not be forced to raise a child that she did not consent to having.
However, Kainz goes on to argue that if a woman was to "nurture" a child, even after rape, she
would be deemed one of the most virtuous Christian women and would likely be rewarded in the
hereafter.
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