Diana Fritz Cates On Abortion Summary

Cates sheds light on some problems when it comes to getting informed consent from patients who want abortions. One concern is that limited time constrict of 10-45 minutes. Within this short period of time, the medical providers are supposed to gain a clear understanding of the patient’s medical history, as well as informing the medical risks, physical pain, options of anesthesia, etc. These intensive questions are critical for both parties to have a mutual understanding with one another in order to know how to proceed. To further add onto this problem, some health workers may even avoid questioning about the patient’s life such as if she had considerate other alternatives such as adoptions, is there any financial constraints, who else was involved
That is, you should ignore your emotions as much as possible.”
Cates would disagree with this statement. According to Cates, emotions are an essential component of morality. In order for a woman to make an informed choice, she must be emotionally informed as well. This would result into a deeper understanding of the choice the woman wants to make. For an example, Laura wanted to help Judy make an informed choice including the emotionally informed choice on how to proceed. This informed emotional knowledge would bring upon a deeper understanding of what Judy was about to. With that being said, compassion and respect are hand in hand when trying to understand a women’s motives for shutting down emotionally. Cates believes that respect is a habit of perceiving persons as having profound moral and spiritual value. In order to follow these values, it must be experienced out in an emotional level. Thus, it could be said that respect stands with people on a moral ground under the basis that it is the habit of receiving and responding to human beings like us. In the example, Laura was not handing the situation well in terms of respect and compassion despite her good
Cates argues that the feeling of guilt may be indicative of a moral judgment that may be considered wrong. However, Cate understands that not all moral choices are always purely good and the feeling of guilt may be a mixture of emotions and not for just one reason. In addition, Cates does disagree with the statement in which it implies that women cannot acknowledge their guilt and instead ignore it as they should not be allowed to feel guilty at all. To further demonstrate her point, Cates mentions several examples where women who had the procedure done feels as if they were on “auto pilot” and emotionally numb from the experience. Some of these women choice to ignore the feelings that may arise after the operation. However, Cates suggest that one should not ignore these emotions but instead reflect on them. Reflection allows woman to become more open and transparent with themselves and are able to learn from their experience. Which in turn, may result into firmer and unique decision and course of action that are suited for their selves in the