Poststructural approach to the abortion dilemma

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:Moral theories often view the problem of abortion as oppositional: either fiercely pro-life oradamantly pro-choice. A closer view at their respective arguments suggests that extremepolar views are hardly tenable. The principle of the sanctity of life has its limits, and theliberal view on abortion leading to the logical conclusion that even infanticide is permissibleis counterintuitive and at loggerheads with common morality. Softer views on both polarpositions are more appealing and more acceptable. The soft pro-life stance has seriouslimitations for it appeals to the doctrine of double effect or to a secular but similar position,the doctrine of self-defence, which would allow abortion only in cases of rape or incest. Thesoft pro-choice position appeals to the concept of sentience: only the abortion of a presentientembryo/fetus is permissible. The difficulty, however, is that we know little about thesentience of the unborn and its occurrence during intra-uterine development. Both extremeand softer views are basically oppositional (either/or). The postmodern mind aims atdeconstructing oppositions in order to highlight the ideologies underscoring the advocacy ofeither view. In a poststructural perspective that takes into account the complexity of life, itbecomes possible to understand and to accept the view that a pro-choice stance is far frombeing pro-death. This is the position which is argued for in the present essay.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University