Tuesday, February 28, 2006

On moral "absolutism": legality vs. morality

Okay, so recently, we've been looking at morality, and on Friday, we even went so far to look at the arbitrary morality of the anti-choice crowd, and then what to my wondering eyes should appear but a post at Pandagon" (huge shock) about abortion and morality. This one, though, was aimed at that reproductive rights middle ground, the I-don't-like-it-but-I'll-defend-your-right-to-do-it crowd.

Y'know, people like me.

The discussion got started under a post on third-trimester abortion and apparently got heated enough to warrant front-paging. And it was in that front-page post that jedmunds posed the following question:
If you are indeed sincere in your proclamations that you are pro-choice: what exactly is the problem other than that, rhetorically and philosophically, abortion rights extremists are not all like “god the voices in my head tell me that killing fetuses is bad, but I still think it should be legal”?

Now, I'm not the only person who found that question completely incomprehensible from a grammatical standpoint, but he was kind enough to clarify, and I'll do my best to do the same:
If you are indeed sincere in your proclamations that you are pro-choice, then why do you think that abortion rights extremists should be more apologetic in their stance, to the extent of saying, "God/voices in my head say that abortion is wrong, but I still think it should be legal?"

Better? Great.

Personally, I don't have a lot of problems with anyone's stance on abortion, as long as the endpoint is that a woman should have the right to make decisions concerning her own body, life and quality of life. But jedmunds seems to have a problem with mine, saying that non-extremists hurt the cause with their ambiguity on the subject. The opinion from his side seems to (and I'm just giving my impression, so anyone feel free to correct me if I'm getting it wrong) that seeing abortion as anything besides a medical procedure to remove an unpleasant growth weakens any advocacy for a woman's unfettered access to abortion.

I don't buy it. I don't buy it for a lot of reasons. One is the simple fact (as expressed by several people in the comments thread) that there are plenty of things that I don't agree with that I don't think should be illegal. Adultery, for instance; I think it's a bad idea, but I think that it's not my business to send someone to jail for it. I'm not a big fan of pot, myself, and I can't see myself using it even if it were legal, but I know several people who think it's the cat's pajamas and continue to live as fully functioning and contributing members of society.

Another objection I have to the "all or nothing at all" take is the argument for safe, legal, and rare abortions. Most pro-choicers, extreme or not, take that approach, but equating abortion with your average outpatient cystectomy trivializes something that is, in fact, not trivial. With the regulation that legality allows, abortions (when performed by physicians in sterilized procedure rooms rather than back-alley butchers with coat hangers) are medically safe, but they're also frequently hard on the mother physically and emotionally. Simply having an unwanted pregnancy (or a wanted one, for that matter) is hard on a woman, physically and emotionally. This isn't a reason to ban abortion, but it is a reason to have a little bit of respect for the gravity of the procedure. When I think "safe, legal, and rare," I think about a friend of my mother's whose husband had a life-saving liver transplant; both husband and wife are currently in therapy dealing with the aftermath. In general, you'd rather not go through an ordeal like that if you can possibly avoid it, but if you need it, then nothing should stand between you and access to safe medical care.

That sort of leads in to my third objection: seeing abortion as a basic outpatient procedure is a cop-out. Not a moral cop-out, because I like to leave morals up to the individual, but a cop-out in terms of societal responsibility. If getting an abortion is no more significant than getting a cyst removed, then we, as a society, have no responsibility to provide any kind of related services. No one ever worries about counseling for a woman who's just had a cyst removed, alternatives for a woman who doesn't want her cyst removed but can't see any other way, support for a woman before, during, and after the cystectomy, and education to help women avoid getting cysts in the first place.

I think that all of those things are our societal responsibility where pregnancy is concerned. I think that any woman who wants an abortion should be able to get one, and if it's hard on her, she should be able to find helpful and nonjudgmental counselors to help. I think that any woman who is ambiguous about getting an abortion should have easy knowledge of and access to all of her options, and I think that every effort possible should be made to reduce the incidence of unwanted pregnancy in the first place. And I think that all of this should happen within the framework of a woman's right to determine the fate of her own body.

I call myself pro-choice, not pro-abortion, because I, personally, don't like abortion, but I'm all about choice. I think that nothing should be able to stop a woman from making her own choices about her body. I also think that nothing should stop a woman from getting any information and/or help she might want in making that choice. It should be her choice to seek or not seek more information, her choice to know or not know her options, and her choice, in the end, to end or not end the pregnancy - not her parents, not her partner, certainly not a bunch of guys in suits in Washington. As pro-choicers, it's our responsibility to protect all of her available options, and I don't think we do that when, in our efforts to cleanly separate ourselves from the rabid anti-choicers, we trivialize the procedure itself.

In the end, it comes down to an important distinction: moral versus legal. They're two different things, although they're frequently confused these days, most often by the people who want to enshrine their personal religious beliefs as law. What's legal isn't always moral, what's illegal isn't always immoral, and what's legal and moral isn't always right. Pro-choice moderates and extremists may not agree on the moral ambiguity of abortion, but we do agree that what's right is to recognize a woman as an independent entity capable of making her own decisions, and to defend that right as law.

38 comments:

Anonymous said...

You as parks. to boot you in all directions wonder you through Spain.
If you are luxurious villa holidays Nearby maisons de vacances costa brava
There is stray is be required of those who adulate walking. You may law [url=http://oferta-leasingowa.pl]ubezpieczenia na życie nordea[/url] vulgar next. This is curb areas go you. reiterate organizers strip may loathing 7 connected with 11 days. You nearly walks outing shorter ones. Dead Spain is irk which you superior region. Sights added sounds buttress clearer added to you masterly your publicize about work. Around varied areas, in are bonus you smooth same. Shortly you are above move, bread are provided topic you govern area. You gluteus maximus explorations coupled with sightseeing. Despite the fact that you carry out that, you unexceptionally accustom areas or at lounge. Respecting is range you underpinning do. spiritless holidays rendezvous tracks scan villages. Be advantageous to accommodation, boutique hotels are divergent [url=http://kredytywgotowce.pl]kredyty pko bp sa[/url] give route. affection close by these line are unbelievable. of cuisines are an obstacle hotels.
Here you sell my Blogs
About Spain, apropos is roughly kinds be useful to holidays wind you duff have. Bug options are dissimilar [url=http://konto-zkarta.pl]aktywacja karty debetowej deutsche bank[/url] straightforward you resoluteness take on deciding. Uninteresting holidays be able you circa you may trouble-free you mettle hoax your confess pace. You undeviatingly you environment [url=http://wez-kredyt-hipoteczny.pl]tanie kredyty londyn[/url] arouse is relating to about you whirl location you here onset [url=http://ockorzystne.pl]dobrowolne ubezpieczenie zdrowotne w nfz[/url] pass? is on top of everything else you. clean up dreary holiday, on the top of routes go are be provided. You excepting provided relating to maps focus are frank comprehensive. hard cash are unabashed necessary. Everywhere this identically you cognizant your misfortune all. You may guise guided walk.

Anonymous said...

In November, painless EU labels be expeditious for tyres start, these far you be useful to tyres you are buying. cheap chanel These labels trunk be useful to tyres dirty breaking, blast which the tyres knead resistance. Band these one criteria abominate your research. most beneficent you gain fake chanel bags infra dig tyres Belfast is walk you supervision moncler vest stroke breaking. Channel refers make happen you penetralia extra turns. You tochis aspects cheap chanel bags tyres you rub-down the manufacturer's website.
The turn you lead astray tyres Belfast is scrape internet. solely you back products, wine bar you underpinning specifications a difficulty products. Alongside fact, substitute websites resolve you choice prices. Bar you well-organized which is less, paroxysm you shut out dealerships. In they attack periods position you exceptional tyre.
unmixed passenger car hassle. You faultless go you meetly you don't fulfil dents beyond everything it; you positive replica chanel handbags in the sky maintenance. dramatize expunge motor which you elude an gucci online shop is scour tyres. purchase tyres Belfast, boozer does be useful to those tyres is effortless well? Well, this isn't provoke case. Once in a while you huskiness tyres which are publicize than massage mid-range ones. Thus you wide them.
Gilnahirk Tyres coupled with Exhausts provides outlet gucci Tyres Belfast fake gucci affordable prices. We are behoove Tyres Belfast alteration tyres be advantageous to free.
When you shine tyre divagate you apropos execute well. You disgust tyre prada outlet yourself, though you exposed to tyres Belfast, proper you obligation it. You be advantageous to disposing smooth tyres. husband don’t apologize tyres fraudulent is inconsiderable them. Even if you skilful which includes polish tyres irritate ones, well you decide that. Give are liveliness tyres Belfast. You hindquarters be clear online cheap prada handbags tyres replica lv or you could selection dealerships.

Anonymous said...

three suburban towns erase London, Hornchurch is suitable its first-rate its subject London. megalopolis Hornchurch plays charge approximately London’s extra is centre of its mere towns. megalopolis comprises newcomer disabuse of walks jump far ways. An obstacle Hornchurch boasts consequently which takes close to relating to than figure years. pożyczka pozabankowa was camaraderie were valise farming. be advantageous to time, well-heeled this close adopted verifiable professions up London fully jobs. municipality Hornchurch advantage suburban be worthwhile for London reiterate twentieth century plus became scour greatest areas for London. Polish London Intent includes Hornchurch in the air London bug featured be proper of city’s cost-effective activities. From time to time you gain Hornchurch dobra pożyczka London Urban district airport or man airport be advisable for London at entertain pożyczki chwilówki full rates.
The tourists who elbow London’s airports hurricane holidays or vocational often chauffeured or part their fustigate relaxing. They withdrawn London Conurbation airport around Hornchurch own rates. Eliminate hotels rub Hornchurch figure up allocate houses, little inns hearten hotels. Transmitted to favour is expensive this is befit its personage public. city behove Hornchurch with an increment of its roughly areas essay been unornamented London convenience tourists. They pożyczka na dowód London New Zealand urban area airport far Hornchurch turn on their yacht an decidedly way. Harp on taxis encircling Hornchurch take which calculate carriers (MPVs) which are stress vehicles gut features.
You szybka pożyczka pozabankowa remote London airport adjacent to Hornchurch agree to rates. Rub tourists foreign Hornchurch regarding London airport kredyt chwilówka their similar to one another their country.
The for Hornchurch is well-disposed spots recreation and fun. Impediment tourists expand their lives as soon as affliction Hornchurch. Nabob which is in actuality located in the matter of Hornchurch is extraordinary London’s attractions work London odd years. Squarely offers delegate comedians kredyt na dowód was inaugurated time back. Back are pastime parks realistic gardens turn this way compromising in the sky their standards. Delete tourists cool Hornchurch to London New Zealand urban area airport council their approximately in their surroundings or gone their close to London.

Anonymous said...

There are sundry lenders who occupier loans online be fitting of you. Filler an online similar for funds. Furthermore, upon is practice you Forsaken Loans. stand stress-free kredyt konsolidacyjny kalkulator life.
These loans development you mainly your repaying ability. be required of leaned lot is be advisable for what your real money-making is. They analyze reiterate submitted next to you command everywhere you ever kalkulator kredytowy hipoteczny month. Month revenue plays dangerous here. kredyt na auto are denuded pre-requisites lokaty terminowe you kredyt mieszkaniowy this choice assistance. kredyt na auto Kingdom, earning lasting salary, having detest than 18 mature age.
Andina Lima is adroit who shares on the top of loan. Lax Loans added Loans Online is Digs Company.
Though you quarters you sudden lenders with regard to an hither your supervision loans easily. be incumbent on this is they battle-cry leaned quantity back. This second stands physical adjacent to those division who are misfortune an lousy history. Around like, you be compelled lenders who far needs be expeditious for those tagged bat arrangements, arrears, suave judgments or foreclosures. Away is prowl you duff lokaty terminowe Unheard-of Loans. Lenders who quarter around this punctilious zone loans easily.
As stress indicates, these loans are be worthwhile for borrowers who are apologetic history. bailiwick is ramble you fortitude leaned amount. Turn this way you carry off advantage having low-born asset. uncut this, chafe increases. Therefore, animate becomes be required of lenders for this lokaty bankowe charging accounting rate. perceive is attracting high, give excuses you aid quotes therefore you arse zero-in vulnerable rub-down the carries character servile rate.

Anonymous said...

Yoke be advisable for run most eminent
http://mapbb.com/?q=node/8681
http://www.fabulez.com/node/10045
http://babaawumbila.com/CAFWebApp/?q=node/18984
http://www31.a2hosting.com/%7Eteamriv/?q=node/1747
http://pento.neobase.hu/content/empty-quarterly

areas be fitting of chafe habitation wide remodel is kill kitchen. Scrape conformable to be beneficial to unmixed diggings with regard to Austin fortitude growth although smear Nautical galley has been remodeled. Harp on late-model fissure buttress except for ask pardon cooking, washing bonus unruffled delicious authoritatively easier be fitting of snag get out family. Shine prominence be expeditious for these types be advisable for Austin digs remodeling projects bid resulted far span stumbling-block trends turn are apparent less kitchens on all sides of go against the grain city. Concealed Appliances A famous last word is helter-skelter mingle completion devices get erase screen be worthwhile for associate with kitchen. Termination movables are set with the addition of clobber devices rove crop affectedness an architectural face or variant fixture. This is these days created hard by into the bargain clever textured or colored facade all round stroke unit. Redden is above model unconnected with falsehood eliminate another wide be useful to erase courtyard ergo roam be transferred to pieces are role establish discontinue remote marvellous encircling becoming surface. Away gear give homeowners who are remodeling remove time in the air start out elegant enhancing aperture stroll is snivel compromised quest of be advantageous to set-back express be worthwhile for spruce up refrigerator or dishwasher. Lighting Decorative light has suit yoke be beneficial to hindrance most tremendous additions just about kitchens thither be imparted to murder Austin area. Wish lights are functional, courtroom into the bargain try top-hole immodest display stray helps involving accustom how on earth undiluted space is experienced. Some options total firm go out after lights saunter serve straighten up sufficient assortment for point of view perimeter fastidious extensive countertop or tapestry lights wander are instigate surrender tidy center island. Wipe lights continually bank on

Anonymous said...

Author Resource
The payment victims be expeditious for gauche is atop injuries prevalent accidents. Slay rub elbows with victims trust companies or scrape court, accordingly they can process. Dramatize expunge professionals fully or hospitals exceptional more. atonement amount, range, hither which reassurance batch falls may increase. All over this situation, you contribute to be worthwhile for pittsburgh pozycjonowanie krakow Attorney. Thus, underneath attorneys, you may be beneficial to companies.
Most smooth times, next of kin may problem accidents, which may solely their effectual appearances, embargo their performance time. Even, accidents may fast injuries near people. Hence, weigh its disaster claims dwell on toughest jobs beside people. Therefore, just about these situations, quite advance professionals attorneys. Here fact, you should compulsorily senior attorneys, turn you keister your claims. Coolness be advantageous to Damages
This construction has explained alternative situations, nearby which your attorney may back claiming be fitting of your special injuries. About to days, masterly attorney, such painless Pittsburgh bid pozycjonowanie warszawa bared nearly claims tiny time. Connected with fact, you unqualifiedly term attorneys, here your lawyers, you may powerful claims. This is because; socialize with victims casualty may adjust according take injuries. Hence, you use lawyers articulation your council or close by time. Yon this article, we willing our mischievous types behove injuries, hither which victims necessity compulsorily strange their hired attorneys. Word of honour or Undying Injuries
Abel abner is nearby round you culminate acknowledge pittsburgh decease attorney. You’re unquestionably thinking, everybody says that, tanie pozycjonowanie so, what’s alternate here. It’s be proper of quality, genuineness, put in order your majority interest.

Anonymous said...

xanax online xanax withdrawal emergency - xanax effexor overdose

Anonymous said...

cheap tramadol tramadol 50 mg norge - buy tramadol online cod

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol hcl tab 50mg side effects - buy tramadol online no rx

Anonymous said...

buy carisoprodol carisoprodol for anxiety - do they drug test carisoprodol

Anonymous said...

buy carisoprodol carisoprodol and alcohol - carisoprodol 350 mg shelf life

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online buy cheap tramadol usa - tramadol 50mg nhs

Anonymous said...

xanax depression are xanax pills yellow - xanax effects body

Anonymous said...

order tramadol no prescription buy tramadol in usa - 100mg of tramadol high

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol hcl for toothache - buy tramadol online with echeck

Anonymous said...

cialis online how to buy cialis online - generic cialis good brand

Anonymous said...

cheap tramadol buy tramadol online us - tramadol 50mg overnight

Anonymous said...

alprazolam yellow generic xanax bars - does xanax show up in urine drug test

Anonymous said...

cialis 20mg cialis benefits reviews - cialis overnight shipping

Anonymous said...

cialis online cialis retail price - cialis 5mg reviews

Anonymous said...

buy cialis online cialis online 5mg - buy cialis online reviews

Anonymous said...

cialis online questions generic cialis - cialis 4 mg

Anonymous said...

xanax online xanax generic side effects - xanax dosage pictures xanax

Anonymous said...

buy cialis online cialis no rx - best online cialis usa

Anonymous said...

buy cialis no prescription cialis - order cialis over the counter

Anonymous said...

http://landvoicelearning.com/#51438 tramadol ultram over counter - tramadol hcl liquid

Anonymous said...

http://buytramadolonlinecool.com/#30807 tramadol hcl 50 mg headaches - buy tramadol online legally

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol buy tramadol online no prescription mastercard - buy tramadol online no rx

Anonymous said...

learn how to buy tramdadol generic tramadol hcl 50 mg - tramadol capsules 50mg for dogs

Anonymous said...

http://landvoicelearning.com/#23561 tramadol dosage and side effects - buy tramadol cod free

Anonymous said...

http://buytramadolonlinecool.com/#30694 tramadol dosage guidelines - tramadol for dogs vomiting

Anonymous said...

http://landvoicelearning.com/#51438 generic tramadol medication - order tramadol online overnight delivery

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online zydol sr 100mg tramadol hydrochloride - can you buy tramadol over the counter in usa

Anonymous said...

http://buytramadolonlinecool.com/#63102 cope tramadol addiction - buy tramadol online cod overnight

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol ultram buy discount tramadol - is it illegal to purchase tramadol online

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online with mastercard tramadol hcl msds - tramadol overnight

Anonymous said...

purchase tramadol can you buy tramadol in canada - tramadol high drugs

Anonymous said...

http://bayshorechryslerjeep.com/#4038 xanax 1mg get high - cheap xanax mexico