Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia

Commitment to Excellence

Introduction to EthicsAssignment: Morality of

Abortion in Cambodia

30 July, 2015

Content

I/ IntroductionII/ What is an abortion?III/ The morality of abortionIV/ The pros & cons of abortionV/ Arguments for abortionVI/ Arguments against abortionVII/ Conclusion

I/ IntroductionMorality of abortion is the termination of a fetus and is a constantly argued issue. When we consider about this topic, we must look around for several things: ethics, emotions, regions and the laws, moral, complex legal and philosophical factors, for all of these are important to this issue.

II/ What is an abortion?Miscarriage? Inevitability ?

A spontaneous abortion? Accidental abortion?

There are two types of abortion treatments: 1. Medical Abortion :

Abortion pill 2. Surgical abortion:

Operation

Continue(…) Abortion are (most safety) done in the first

trimester (before the 12th week of pregnancy). Pregnancy weeks are counted from the first days of woman’s most recent menstrual period.

Abortion divides into two categories: 1. Intention 2. Non-intention (depend on mother and baby)

III/ The morality of abortion

A utilitarian might argue that forcing those who can’t afford to raise their future children to have abortion would reduce the financial drain on the society.

Conservative doesn’t support abortion, but liberal does.

Continue(…)

Buddhism & Abortion:Buddhist belief in reincarnation leads to

belief that life begins at the moment of conception. This naturally inclines Buddhism against allowing abortion. Taking the life of any living thing is generally condemned in Buddhism, so of course killing a fetus would not meet with easy approval.

Kantian need for duty Concept said, “A mother would protect their children at any costs in order to uphold the sanctity of human life.”

The golden rules apply that “One should avoid harming any other person.

IV/ The pros and cons of abortion

One of the most important issues in the world is the controversy surrounding abortion. Do you think abortion is right? Many people have been asking themselves this same question for years now. There is no official right of abortion that it is illegal or legal yet, so taking an abortion is good or bad, it depends on people’s thinking and situation. But we know well about the disadvantages and advantages of abortion.

Continue(…) The advantages:1. Less responsibilities2. Saving your life ( in

some cases )3. Saving your value4. You don’t have to

deal with society judging you for having a baby when you were not ready or before getting married ( in our culture)

The disadvantages

1. Causing a sin2. Lacking morality3. Effecting health4. Emotional difficult5. Physically painful6. Being judged by

other people if they found out that you used to take an abortion

V/ Arguments for abortionWoman’s rights arguments in favor or abortion. There are some of woman’s right arguments in favorite of abortion: Women have a moral right to decide what

to do with their bodies The right to abortion is vital for gender

quality The right for abortion is vital for individual

women to achieve their full potential Banning abortion puts women at risk by

forcing them to use illegal abortions The right to abortion should be part of

portfolio of pregnancy rights that enable women to make a truly free choice whether to end a pregnancy

Continue(…)This argument reminds us that even in the abortion decided, we should regard the women as a person and not just as a consideration to her right and need as well as those of the unborn.Pro-choice women’s right activate do not take a casual or callous attitude to the facture, the opposite is usually true, and most of them acknowledge bad that choosing an abortion is usually a case of choosing the least bad of several bad course of action.

VI/ Arguments against for abortion Abortion is not good for humanity who lives in

society People believe that the right to control one’s

body can never surpass the basic human rights of fetus.

A fetus is a separate, living human being whose rights begin in the womb and extend after birth.

Many people consider abortion as cruel as murder.

• No women or man should have the power to decide if a baby is allowed to live

• No one but only God has the right to take someone’s life

Continue(…) While a woman has power over her body and

can choose how she would like to use it, laws can restrict her control when she abuse the rights of others.

If women becomes pregnant, they should accept the responsibilities that comes with producing a child.

Women should not be able to use abortion as a form of contraception

Abortion may lead to future medical problems for the mother

VII. Conclusion• After describing these reasons below, we see

that abortion is the necessary in many cases for women. Abortion is neither right nor wrong. It’s just the matter of a personal opinion where each side can say with certainty that the other one is wrong.

• Governments are trying to carry out the public information and education to inform all women to understand their right to safe abortion. Moreover, the midwives are received appropriate training and be licensed to provide safe abortions. So it means that people are changing their mind and stop looking down on the women who do abortion.

Thank You For Your Attention!