Abortion
Introduction
Abortion is one of the common practices in our world today but still may be more complicated to describe. Abortion refers to the termination of a pregnancy before it reaches its full term, which is usually nine months. The termination of pregnancy may either be the removal of the fetus or expulsion of the embryo. Hence, the fetus will not survive outside the uterus. If an abortion occurs without any intervention, it is known as spontaneous abortion or a miscarriage. The main argument of this study is in support of abortion.
Argument for Abortions
There have been many divided schools of thought on whether or not divisions should be allowed. According to Marquis (2007), one of the arguments against abortion is that it is akin to ending the life of a human being. Also, abortion can have long term damaging effects on women. These damages could be physical and psychological. Most of the proponents of abortion are also viewed as being male. Unfortunately, the males do not have to live with the consequences of abortion. In many countries around the world, abortion is still considered illegal. Many women, therefore, procure unsafe, which is detrimental to their health.
Main Argument
The main argument from the research by Marquis (2007) is that abortion is wrong because it is akin to killing human life. The supporting argument is that many times, it is common to hear people say that all lives matter. Everyone deserved to live irrespective of their race, age, color, origin, ethnicity, and social status in life, among many other reasons. The main thing to note is that the prequalification for one to deserve to live is that they are humans. The situations are the same for these fetuses who are still developing in the womb. The growing fetus cannot be put under any other classification other than they are human. Since life begins at conception, abortion of fetuses is also viewed as inhuman and against the rights to life. All human beings, despite their state and stage of development, have a right to life.
Quality of Reasoning
For some of the arguments, the quality of reasoning is sufficient, whereas some of the arguments are not convincing. The arguments against abortion which are reasonable and convincing, are those that are backed by science. These include arguments explain the psychological, physical and emotional damage of abortion on women who undergo an abortion. Statistics and data supported the evidence in the article used, and thus the arguments were convincing.
However, on the other hand, some of the arguments were not convincing as they were driven more by Marquis’ emotions and personal feelings, rather than by facts. The lead argument which took the view that a fetus was a human being and abortion, therefore, amounted to killing a human being. When presenting the discussion, the author degenerated into giving perspectives not backed by facts. At some point, it was easy to tell that it has degenerated into giving opinion personal opinion, which should not be the basis of research unless it is provided.
On the whole, however, the author covered the issues against abortion well. The information and data contained therein are informative. Since many reasons against abortion are given and expounded on, readers may fi themselves in agreement with at least one of the arguments.
Opposing Argument
The main focus of Berg (2017)is presenting the arguments in favor of abortion. Also, the research has arguments against abortion, as the researcher sought to give a wholesome view of both sides. The main focus of the research was, however, on the arguments for abortion.
Main Argument
The main argument in favor of is that banning was the effect on the health of women when abortion is made illegal. Prohibiting abortion does not guarantee that women will not undergo an abortion. The predictable result is that more women will seek to procure abortion illegally. As such, abortion may take place in less than ideal conditions and may be conducted by less qualified physicians (Berg, 2017). These practices put the life of both the mother and the fetus at risk.
Quality of Reasoning
The quality of reasoning used is high. Berg (2017) employed the use of data and information to pass its argument across. As has been explained, the main argument is that banning abortion jeopardizes the health of those who seek abortions as they will undergo unsafe abortions from wherever they can access it. The source draws examples from both countries that have legalized abortion and those that have prohibited abortion. The data shows no observable decrease in abortions cases. Instead, an observable trend is that there is a rise in the number of abortion-related deaths.
The reasoning and main arguments by Berg (2017) are thence devoid of emotions and personal opinions. Instead, they are backed by verifiable facts. As one reads on, they buy into the arguments by the author.
Differences in The Quality of Reasoning
One of the main differences in quality that exist is the reliance on logic and reason, versus the reliance on emotions. The arguments for abortion are devoid of any emotions, feeling or personal feelings. The arguments against abortion have these elements. Both of these two sources have elements of logic, reason, and objectivity. It is not, however, to intimate that one approach is right, whereas the other is wrong. The research aims to convince its target audience to either change their perspective on abortion or to maintain their status quo. Whereas some target audience is convinced using reasoning, logic and facts, others are more susceptible to emotions. Also, there is a group of the target audience that is susceptible to a combination of both.
One of the target audience of both of these sources is the government policymakers and members of congress. The members of the groups mentioned above have a say in how issues of abortion are approached. These include government policies, regulations, creation of bills and even changes in laws. Each side would, therefore, like to have a significant influence on these stakeholders. Their approach was based on facts, emotions, or a combination of both is deliberate, rather than a coincidence. The choice of the approach is what has the highest chance of convincing the target audience.
Conclusion
The activity on arguments for and against abortion will affect how I conduct any research in the future. I now know what to look for in sources, and can determine the approach taken. The activity has also opened my mind, and I will not dismiss any researches even though I do not agree with it. Instead, I will look at the target audience.
References
Berg, A. (2017). Abortion and miscarriage. Philosophical studies, 174(5), 1217-1226. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11098-016-0750-z.pdf
Marquis, D. (2007). An argument that abortion is wrong. Ethical theory: An anthology, 439-50.https://web.csulb.edu/~cwallis/382/readings/160/marquis.html