Abortion and EuthanasiaAbortion and EuthanasiaEthics, Respect, and Ethics, Respect, and

CommunityCommunity

► ITESM, Campus Ciudad de MexicoITESM, Campus Ciudad de Mexico 17 Oct. 200717 Oct. 2007

►Mark Waymack, PhDMark Waymack, PhD►Department of PhilosophyDepartment of Philosophy►Loyola University ChicagoLoyola University Chicago

Ethically & Socially Divisive Ethically & Socially Divisive IssuesIssues

►Both have been disputed for centuriesBoth have been disputed for centuries

►Both are the subject of intense, Both are the subject of intense, continued, sometimes violent, continued, sometimes violent, contemporary debatecontemporary debate

Abortion in the Ancient WorldAbortion in the Ancient World

Plato: appropriate in certain Plato: appropriate in certain circumstancescircumstances

Aristotle: permissible prior to the higher Aristotle: permissible prior to the higher soul developssoul develops

The Hippocratic School: not to be The Hippocratic School: not to be performed by physicians (apparently performed by physicians (apparently because of harm to woman)because of harm to woman)

Aquinas: a minor sin before ensoulment, Aquinas: a minor sin before ensoulment, homicide after ensoulmenthomicide after ensoulment

Abortion in the Modern WorldAbortion in the Modern World

►Widely performed (half of abortion Widely performed (half of abortion world-wide are illegal)world-wide are illegal)

►Most controversial is “elective Most controversial is “elective abortion” (not necessary to save the abortion” (not necessary to save the woman’s life)woman’s life) Legalized in some U.S. states in the Legalized in some U.S. states in the

1960’s1960’s Legalized by U.S. Supreme Court in 1973Legalized by U.S. Supreme Court in 1973 Legalized by Ciudad de Mexico in 2007Legalized by Ciudad de Mexico in 2007

Abortion:Abortion:The Main Argument AgainstThe Main Argument Against

►Premise 1: It is wrong to kill an Premise 1: It is wrong to kill an innocent personinnocent person

►Premise 2: The fetus is an innocent Premise 2: The fetus is an innocent personperson

►Conclusion: It is wrong to kill a fetusConclusion: It is wrong to kill a fetus

► It is a question of moral respect for the It is a question of moral respect for the basic human rightsbasic human rights of the fetus of the fetus

The Moral Status of the FetusThe Moral Status of the Fetus

►The main argument thus presumes The main argument thus presumes that the fetus is athat the fetus is a person person

► If the fetus is not a person, then the If the fetus is not a person, then the main argument collapsesmain argument collapses

Fetus and PersonhoodFetus and Personhood

► Is the fetus a person?Is the fetus a person? Aristotle & Aquinas: only once the soul Aristotle & Aquinas: only once the soul

has entered the fetushas entered the fetus

Contemporary Pro-Life Argument: At the Contemporary Pro-Life Argument: At the moment of conception the embryo is a moment of conception the embryo is a personperson

Fetus & PersonhoodFetus & Personhood

►On What Grounds Would the Fetus On What Grounds Would the Fetus Count as Person?Count as Person? DNA?DNA? Perception?Perception? Potentiality?Potentiality?

Ordinary Moral IntuitionsOrdinary Moral Intuitions

►Many of our “ordinary” moral intuitions Many of our “ordinary” moral intuitions conflict with the idea that the fetus is a conflict with the idea that the fetus is a person from the moment of conceptionperson from the moment of conception Abortion is often allowed in cases of rape Abortion is often allowed in cases of rape

or incestor incest We do not legally name fetusesWe do not legally name fetuses We do not have funerals for fetuses that We do not have funerals for fetuses that

result in miscarriage/spontaneous result in miscarriage/spontaneous abortionabortion

AbortionAbortionMain Argument for PermissibilityMain Argument for Permissibility►1. The fetus is not a person1. The fetus is not a person►2. The fetus is a part of the woman’s 2. The fetus is a part of the woman’s

bodybody►3. Adults are said to have a moral and 3. Adults are said to have a moral and

legal right to self-determination, a right legal right to self-determination, a right to privacyto privacy

►Conclusion: 4. Therefore, it ought to be a Conclusion: 4. Therefore, it ought to be a woman’s moral right to choosewoman’s moral right to choose

Problems With The PermissibilityProblems With The PermissibilityArgumentArgument

►When does the fetus become a When does the fetus become a person?person? At birth? (Sounds arbitrary. What is the At birth? (Sounds arbitrary. What is the

morally important difference between a morally important difference between a 39-week fetus and a newly born baby?)39-week fetus and a newly born baby?)

Viability?Viability?►Why consider viability?Why consider viability?►When is viability? 30 weeks? 23 weeks?When is viability? 30 weeks? 23 weeks?

Critique of Extreme ViewsCritique of Extreme Views

►The main arguments typically used The main arguments typically used both for and against abortion are both for and against abortion are problematicproblematic

Conceptually weakConceptually weak Are in conflict with ordinary moral Are in conflict with ordinary moral

intuitionsintuitions

Euthanasia in the Ancient Euthanasia in the Ancient WorldWorld

►EuthanasiaEuthanasia Widely accepted in the Ancient WorldWidely accepted in the Ancient World

►GreeksGreeks►RomansRomans►(Includes infanticide for congenital defects and (Includes infanticide for congenital defects and

mercy killing of debilitated elderly who want to mercy killing of debilitated elderly who want to die)die)

But Not Universally approvedBut Not Universally approved►Hippocratic SchoolHippocratic School

Euthanasia in the Contemporary Euthanasia in the Contemporary WorldWorld

► InvoluntaryInvoluntary euthanasia used as part of euthanasia used as part of the Nazi social experimentthe Nazi social experiment

►Other CountriesOther Countries Medical euthanasia tolerated by the Medical euthanasia tolerated by the

Netherlands beginning in the 1970sNetherlands beginning in the 1970s Legalized in the Netherlands in 2003Legalized in the Netherlands in 2003 Now legal also in Belgium, Switzerland, Now legal also in Belgium, Switzerland,

Japan, and ColumbiaJapan, and Columbia

Euthanasia in the U.S.A.Euthanasia in the U.S.A.

►Physician-Assisted Suicide was made Physician-Assisted Suicide was made legal by vote in the state of Oregon legal by vote in the state of Oregon (1994)(1994)

►Remains illegal or not-legislated in all Remains illegal or not-legislated in all other statesother states

►The U.S. federal government (the Bush The U.S. federal government (the Bush administration) has repeatedly tried to administration) has repeatedly tried to over-rule Oregon’s law, but always over-rule Oregon’s law, but always unsuccessfullyunsuccessfully

Arguments Against Arguments Against EuthanasiaEuthanasia

►Sanctity of LifeSanctity of Life►Harm to SelfHarm to Self►Harm to OthersHarm to Others

Euthanasia & Sanctity of LifeEuthanasia & Sanctity of Life

►Your life does not belong to you like Your life does not belong to you like personal propertypersonal property

►Your life belongs to GodYour life belongs to God►Therefore, when you die should be up Therefore, when you die should be up

to God, not youto God, not you

Sanctity of Life Argument: Sanctity of Life Argument: CriticismsCriticisms

►This is ultimately a religious argument. This is ultimately a religious argument. Should religion set public policy?Should religion set public policy?

►Furthermore, even within Christianity, Furthermore, even within Christianity, there is disagreement here. What kind there is disagreement here. What kind of God would require that certain of God would require that certain persons must die a slow, painful, persons must die a slow, painful, suffering dying process?suffering dying process?

Argument of Harm to the SelfArgument of Harm to the Self

►Anti-euthanasia argument sees death Anti-euthanasia argument sees death as an evil, a harm to the individualas an evil, a harm to the individual

►But is death always bad for the But is death always bad for the individual?individual? When burdened by un-relievable suffering When burdened by un-relievable suffering

(such as through terminal illness) might (such as through terminal illness) might there not come a time when burden of there not come a time when burden of suffering outweighs the good of living?suffering outweighs the good of living?

Argument of Harm to OthersArgument of Harm to Others

►Anti-euthanasia movement includes Anti-euthanasia movement includes those who think that allowing those who think that allowing euthanasia/assisted suicide would harm euthanasia/assisted suicide would harm other people in society.other people in society. This is especially argued by some groups of This is especially argued by some groups of

the Disabled, who believe that allowing the Disabled, who believe that allowing euthanasia would open the door for society euthanasia would open the door for society to question why we should bother to to question why we should bother to support the lives of the Disabled (since support the lives of the Disabled (since their lives are burdened by disability)their lives are burdened by disability)

Harm to Others (con’t)Harm to Others (con’t)

►But is there any evidence to suggest But is there any evidence to suggest that we would conflate (mix-up) dying that we would conflate (mix-up) dying individuals who themselves wish to individuals who themselves wish to escape their suffering and the escape their suffering and the Disabled who do not see themselves Disabled who do not see themselves as overly-burdened?as overly-burdened? The evidence is not thereThe evidence is not there

Harm to the PoorHarm to the Poor

►Anti-euthanasia forces also argue that Anti-euthanasia forces also argue that the poor will be unfairly coerced into the poor will be unfairly coerced into choosing euthanasia, out of fear of choosing euthanasia, out of fear of large medical expenses. Hence, this large medical expenses. Hence, this would place an unjust burden on the would place an unjust burden on the poor.poor.

►But there is no evidence to show that But there is no evidence to show that this is what would happen.this is what would happen.

The Oregon ExperienceThe Oregon Experience

►Approximately 30 cases per year of Approximately 30 cases per year of physician assisted suicidephysician assisted suicide

►Represents 0.15% of deaths in OregonRepresents 0.15% of deaths in Oregon►80% cancer patients80% cancer patients►Average age of 70 yearsAverage age of 70 years►Tends to be individuals with higher Tends to be individuals with higher

educationeducation►Almost exclusively upper-middle classAlmost exclusively upper-middle class

Problems With Pro-Problems With Pro-EuthanasiaEuthanasia

► How far should respect for individual self-How far should respect for individual self-determination extend?determination extend? In the Netherlands, some patients have opted for In the Netherlands, some patients have opted for

euthanasia because of depressioneuthanasia because of depression In the Netherlands, some neonates with severe In the Netherlands, some neonates with severe

defects have been euthanized by parental choicedefects have been euthanized by parental choice

Our ordinary moral intuitions suggest that there Our ordinary moral intuitions suggest that there should be some limits on euthanasia, even when should be some limits on euthanasia, even when it is voluntaryit is voluntary

Valuing LifeValuing Life

Does permitting euthanasia say something Does permitting euthanasia say something about how we, as a society, value life?about how we, as a society, value life?

Problem of the ExtremesProblem of the Extremes

►We have seen that both extreme views We have seen that both extreme views (about both abortion and euthanasia) (about both abortion and euthanasia) have problems.have problems. They have some philosophical They have some philosophical

assumptions that sound arbitraryassumptions that sound arbitrary They do not agree with our ordinary moral They do not agree with our ordinary moral

intuitionsintuitions

Why, Then, Do We HearWhy, Then, Do We HearThese Extreme Arguments So These Extreme Arguments So

Much?Much?►Each side characterizes itself as Each side characterizes itself as

upholding moral respect for upholding moral respect for individuals, human rights, and the individuals, human rights, and the character of our communitycharacter of our community

►Complex arguments and subtle Complex arguments and subtle distinctions tend not to arouse much distinctions tend not to arouse much passion and commitmentpassion and commitment

PoliticsPolitics

►The incentive to “leaders” is The incentive to “leaders” is notnot to to argue for a complex, murky, middle argue for a complex, murky, middle ground.ground.

►Leaders energize their followers (and Leaders energize their followers (and hence gain power) by using simple, hence gain power) by using simple, dramatic slogans and images.dramatic slogans and images.

►Followers are encouraged to protest in Followers are encouraged to protest in the streets, write letters to legislators, the streets, write letters to legislators, donate their own money. They are donate their own money. They are notnot encouraged to think critically !encouraged to think critically !

Ethics Is Not PoliticsEthics Is Not Politics

►Politics, especially “real politik,” is not Politics, especially “real politik,” is not about moral truth. It is about winning, about moral truth. It is about winning, about about powerpower..

►Ethics, at least in some sense, is about Ethics, at least in some sense, is about moral truthmoral truth.. But what is “moral truth”?But what is “moral truth”?

DangersDangers

►ArroganceArrogance►Excessive Self-ConfidenceExcessive Self-Confidence►Unwillingness to Acknowledge and Unwillingness to Acknowledge and

Engage Other Points of ViewEngage Other Points of View

A WishA Wish

►El Diccionario El Diccionario IncompletoIncompleto de Bio de Bioééticatica ““incompleto” suggests a project that is incompleto” suggests a project that is

not entirely finished. Bioethics is not not entirely finished. Bioethics is not necessarily some set of timeless, abstract necessarily some set of timeless, abstract truths. It is a project that requires truths. It is a project that requires continuing thought, discussion, and often, continuing thought, discussion, and often, compromisecompromise

Progress?Progress?

►Can we “temper,” can we moderate Can we “temper,” can we moderate the extreme views and extreme the extreme views and extreme passions that drive politics with at passions that drive politics with at least a portion of measured least a portion of measured philosophical reflection and philosophical reflection and discussion?discussion?

►Can we “hear” what each of the sides Can we “hear” what each of the sides has to say? What their deepest has to say? What their deepest concerns are?concerns are?

Working TogetherWorking Together

►No One is “Pro” AbortionNo One is “Pro” Abortion►No One is “Pro” EuthanasiaNo One is “Pro” Euthanasia►No One is “Anti” LifeNo One is “Anti” Life

Respect and CommunityRespect and Community

►Abortion and Euthanasia both have to Abortion and Euthanasia both have to do with respect and communitydo with respect and community What does it mean to show respect?What does it mean to show respect? Who/what counts as a member of our Who/what counts as a member of our

communitycommunity

►We Should Look For Policies That:We Should Look For Policies That: Respect individual rights, including choiceRespect individual rights, including choice Minimize harmMinimize harm

The Abortion ChallengeThe Abortion Challenge

►Decrease the Demand for Abortion Decrease the Demand for Abortion Through Education and Availability of Through Education and Availability of Birth ControlBirth Control

►Decrease the Harm of Abortion by Decrease the Harm of Abortion by Making It LegalMaking It Legal Illegal abortion is a major health problemIllegal abortion is a major health problem Legal abortion can be done safely.Legal abortion can be done safely.

►Discourage Late-Term AbortionsDiscourage Late-Term Abortions

The Euthanasia ChallengeThe Euthanasia Challenge

►Why Do People Desire the Euthanasia Why Do People Desire the Euthanasia Option?Option? Fear of unrelieved suffering (physical and Fear of unrelieved suffering (physical and

emotional) while dyingemotional) while dying

Euthanasia StrategiesEuthanasia Strategies

► We Can Decrease the Demand for Euthanasia We Can Decrease the Demand for Euthanasia By Improving the Quality of End-of-Life CareBy Improving the Quality of End-of-Life Care Better use of pain-relief medicationsBetter use of pain-relief medications Better social-psychological supports for the dyingBetter social-psychological supports for the dying

► Admit That Despite Quality Care, Some Admit That Despite Quality Care, Some Individuals May Still Suffer TerriblyIndividuals May Still Suffer Terribly Allow assisted death under certain circumstancesAllow assisted death under certain circumstances

► Safeguards: Use Policy to Minimize Safeguards: Use Policy to Minimize “Inappropriate” or “Unnecessary” Euthanasia“Inappropriate” or “Unnecessary” Euthanasia

ConclusionConclusion

►The Extreme Views Are Conceptually FlawedThe Extreme Views Are Conceptually Flawed►But Each Extreme View Also Has Some But Each Extreme View Also Has Some

Moral AppealMoral Appeal►A Compromise Public Policy Would Try To:A Compromise Public Policy Would Try To:

Show some respect to the concerns of each sideShow some respect to the concerns of each side Build upon common groundBuild upon common ground Seek to respect individuals, minimize harm, and Seek to respect individuals, minimize harm, and

promote benefit as far as practicalpromote benefit as far as practical