Ethics

1 Pages 310 Words

In America, society’s view of human rights is a complete contradiction. On one hand, we form a deep and heavy opinion on one’s right to life. On the other, we hold an equally strong opinion on one’s freedom to live that life as they please. Clearly, American society has a firm belief in an individuals right to live. Therefore, if one comes to the conclusion that a fetus actually is a true person, then that fetus should receive the protection in regard to a right to live. This society in which we live also holds the firm belief in one’s right to the sovereignty of his or her own body, equal to that of one’s right to live. In this case, it is imperative that we understand what liberties we can and cannot take upon ourselves concerning our lives. Society dictates what we are allowed to do, and how we are allowed to live, by law. Most of Anglo-American laws are written to preserve one’s rights to individuality, and one’s right to take the liberty to live their lives as they see fit. However, laws are also written to undermine those who’s actions compromise the liberties and freedoms of other individuals, thus protecting the concepts and ideals of agency and liberty. Based on our society’s laws, essentially, we believe that what you do to yourself is one’s own choice, and is accepted by law, so long as it does not stop or impede the lives and freedoms of others. The difficulty in this particular conundrum lies within the question of whether an abortion falls into a category of protection of a woman’s right’s over the sovereignty of her own body, or whether it falls into a different category or schema of an action which is not permissible because the baby is a person whose life and freedom is being compromised....