There are many social issues in society today. These issues affect life, which is why they appear to be regarded differently by people. Abortion is one of such issues. It is the removal of the fetus or embryo from the womb before it gets the ability to have the ability to survive independently. Unlike a miscarriage, an abortion is done with the consent of the one who is pregnant. It is a social problem which is shunned by many people, as it leads to the loss of life. Since people value life, they see abortion as a vice. Abortion is therefore illegal in many countries, and its practice is not acceptable. The morality that is considered by people as they give their views on abortion is consequentialism.
Consequentialism falls under normative ethical theories. It purports that judgment on the rightness and wrongness of things is done based on the consequences. When one needs to consider if something is right or wrong, they only need to look at the consequences bred by such actions (Lyons, 2015) . Therefore, when regarding morality, it can also be predetermined by looking at what the results will be. It is by such that consequentialism stands to be an aspect that can be used to make a judgment, as well as correct behavior and act as restraints for doing what is considered wrong, if the consequences will be bad. It is for that regard that the overall performance is done based on considering the best overall results. In simple terms, the end is meant to justify the means. According to Lyons (2015) , even if the means used was not right or good, the results are the determinants of whether the actions done are of worth. Within consequentialism lies utilitarianism, where pleasure and pain are regarded to be the governing aspects of morality. People tend to focus on where they are to attain happiness, consequently being driven by their strengths as well as their fears. Hedonistic utilitarianism purports that all that matters is that aggregate happiness that is bred from an act.
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Consequentialism and some of the sub-theories discussed above are considered when looking at the morality tied to abortion. People tend to attach these theories to abortion, as a way of giving arguments which concern it and its effect in society. Through consequentialism, the principle of utility is used to help deal with societal problems, and in such case, abortion, which is a social problem.
On a lighter note, consequentialism is an aspect that is tied to abortion, in that in its tenets, an act is deemed right if the consequences are right. Therefore, if one gets to have an abortion since they were raped, the consequence is the most important, since the child is unwanted and may end up being unloved in this life (Watt, 2016) . Therefore, the mother may see it fit to have the abortion to have better consequences and a better future which is laced with happiness. However, one still gets to wonder on the morality tied to it; is that the best alternative, why not have the child and have it adopted? You can even have them unloved if that appears right. The child can have happiness on their own on the same note; it might have been natural for them to have such a bearing, which is why a parent on such a situation can decide to have nature take its toll. The consequences of abortion may not even be determined, as there are anomalies and other side effects that may arise from it, leading to the mother being harmed. Therefore, consequentialism makes the issue have duality, and at the time appears to be a dilemma.
Talking of utilitarianism and abortion, it is objective, as it does not offer the explanations that may act as a hindrance or a contradiction of what it puts across. It does not bring other questions such as when life begins, as such a discussion can lead to many other discussion and philosophical arguments. When act utilitarianism is used to give judgment on abortion, the consideration that is done here is only by looking at the advantages that the mother gets from the act. The consequences are weighed, and if it appears to have better consequences for her life, it is procured. If not, it is not. It is for such reasons that abortion stand to be right in several cases. Firstly, when it comes to the case of the embryo pausing harm to the life of the mother, act utilitarianism promotes abortion, as it is a way that can be used to save the mother. After the abortion, if properly done, the mother still can get another pregnancy and another child, even if they have lost one. This is a view that looks at abortion, not from the welfare of others but having a decision which seeks to have an individual getting consequences which are the best in dealing with their wellbeing.
When it comes to the case of a child having abnormalities while in the womb, utilitarianism falls into question, as the individual disposition may make one procure an abortion with the view that they will save the child from that situation. This may appear to be a good strategy to help save the situation since it leads to the achievement of happiness by all the parties. However, looking at the aspect ethically, it stands to be wrong. It is for such a disposition that rule utilitarianism falls in, trying to go against the individual regard to issues and employ a rule that can be used to solve all issue of the same degree. In any case, even if the child were born, the society is philanthropic enough to support to accommodate the child, and have the provisions that they need (Watt, 2016) . Therefore, it is not right to have decisions made using an individual approach, as this will see the individuals taking it as a reason to have many individual judgments by in their own decisions to show what is right for them. There is a society which helps in setting things right, and the rules therein are good as most are meant to be for the common good. If the case of act utilitarianism is solely considered, some may even decide to procure an abortion due to financial instability, which an act that is so self-centered.
There is another problem which utilitarianism tends to avoid when looking at aborting, yet it is a major aspect in that line of thought. If people were permitting the killing of a fetus, why do they not they justify and permit the killing of a baby? Is a fetus not analogous to a body, that it should just be terminated with much ease? There lacks a dividing line between killing a baby and killing a fetus, which is a problem that consequentialism does not help solve. The aspect of consciousness sets in, and one gets to wonder if consciousness develops after a child is born. Since utilitarianism and consequentialism do not acknowledge these assumptions, abortion remains a social problem that should have no justifications.
Hedonistic utilitarianism also set in, where people argue for and against abortion by looking at the pain that is gotten in the process. When this is considered, most people take the pain that the fetus gets into consideration, and justify aborting saying that the fetus can be terminated sooner, before any developments take place. However, it is still painful to have an abortion, especially because some methods have proved painful. This is an inclination towards pain, which makes it a bad practice ( Reardon, 2013) . More so, there is the aspect of the happiness of the child in the future, as they may be born and attain happiness. God or fate can make them successful and happy people.
Therefore, consequentialism, which is a major theoretical approach that has utilitarianism within, seeks to have different inclinations, as some part is considerate who is to benefit, and who is to suffer. The theoretical inclination makes one wonder whether the mother or the child is to benefit. On the same note, it still breeds another issue, of whether the concern raised by abortion should be majored on individuals or by society. When taking consequential on a broader perspective, it has been employed by people when giving their views about abortion, as they all go for the best consequences (Lyons, 2015) . However, it is hard to get to learn of the best consequence, as it is not determinate.one can never tell of whether having the child would have been of more advantage. On the same way, they cannot tell if they will survive in abortion or the effects that it will have on their bodies and their lives.
In conclusion, consequentialism has been a strategy used to justify and condemn abortion. However, the above illustrations show that when consequentialism settle in, it is tied more to the mother, but not the fetus are the needs of the society. A child is meant to be born, once they are conceived. Therefore, it is necessary to have them born, as this is a way that contributes a lot to the attainment of the common good, unlike having personal gratifications. Childbirth is an opportunity to promote humanity and make life better. Since the consequences of abortion cannot be conceived, it is better not to have an abortion.
References
Lyons, D. (2015). Utilitarianism. Wiley Encyclopedia of Management , 1-4.
Reardon, D. C. (2013). Rape, incest, and abortion: searching beyond the myths. Elliot Institute. AfterAbortion. org .
Watt, H. (2016). The ethics of pregnancy, abortion and childbirth: Exploring moral choices in childbearing . Routledge.
