Ways to Talk About Abortion

Aims of Discussion n NOT to discuss whether abortion is morally right or morally wrong n Rather to discuss what should happen in a democratic, pluralistic society when there are such deep moral divisions about abortion

Aims of Discussion n Can we have a thoughtful, mutually respectful dialogue over public policy on abortion? n Is it possible such a dialogue could lead to an integrity-preserving compromise on abortion policy?

Labels n Would it help to get rid of labels? n Are “pro-life” really anti-choice? n Are “pro-choice” really anti-life? n Do such labels enhance mutually respectful dialogue? n Need fuller descriptions of beliefs?

Integrity-Preserving Compromise (IPC) n Benjamin, Splitting the Difference (1990) n Tend to assume that compromise and integrity are mutually exclusive n Claim: One can compromise on policy without compromising one’s integrity in many (but not all) cases

IPC (cont) n Sometimes dialogue reveals a solution in which each party can maintain all of his/her moral values (I.e. no real moral conflict between positions) n This is wonderful n This is not IPC however

IPC (cont.) n In IPC each has to give up some moral values to reach compromise n Feels justified in doing so because deeper or higher priority moral values are maintained via compromise or compromise process

Definition of IPC n Neither side gets all it wanted n Each side hangs onto some core values n Both sides share certain core values n Each side sees itself compromising its position not its integrity n Each side hopes eventually to win over other via respectful dialogue

Circumstances Favoring IPC n Common commitment to shared task n Neither side can “fire” other side (rough equality of power) n Short term benefits of agreement n In longer term can continue moral debate n Example: Hospital ethics committee

Can you imagine the broad outlines of an integrity- preserving compromise on abortion between “pro-life” and “pro-choice” sides in US?

Possible IPC on Abortion n Decision to work together to try to reduce as much as possible the number of women with unwanted pregnancies who may seek abortion n Include all methods of trying to avoid unwanted pregnancy n Continue to disagree on whether abortion should be permitted as last resort

Different Approaches n Analytic ethics: moral status of the fetus n Feminist ethics: relationship between mother and fetus

“Maternal-fetal conflict” n Refusal of C-section “needed” to save life of infant n Mother addicted to alcohol or other drugs n Mother refuses fetal surgery for known defect

Which conflict? n Andre: Is this really maternal- fetal or maternal-physician conflict?

Why important? n “Maternal-fetal” eliminates mention of physician, as if purely scientific observer n “Maternal-fetal” assumes physician not mother speaks for fetus n “Maternal-fetal conflict ” assumes that conflict is nature of relationship between mother and child-to-be (so physician must “referee”)

Definition of a pregnant woman: a gravid uterus and its support structures --Well-known standard textbook of obstetrics, middle of 20th century

Take-home message from feminist ethics n When discussing ethics and human reproduction, extremely important to make sure that terms of discussion do not reduce women to a subhuman role as “mere” producer of or container for fetus/child