Epicurus And Aristotle's Views On Abortion

Ethics on Abortion A well known topic like abortion brings in very opinionated people or people who believe in relativism, many stir away from the topic because it is seen as socially unacceptable. Epicurus and Aristotle are both major philosophers who share their theories and views. Today being pro life is seen as conservative or a Christian way of thinking. Epicurus and Aristotle say happiness is an ultimate end goal. Every body has a soul purpose or a physical purpose that both philosophers discuss. Pleasure was and still is a controversial topic, that both Epicurus and Aristotle discuss. Both philosophers show views of being supportive of pro life and pro choice. Epicurus’ time line began 341 to 271 B.C.E, he had very Hellenistic views.
It can be taken as him being okay with pro-choice because death is not legitimate to him. Except when he explains unnecessary desires, sex is one of them. Sex leads to pregnancy, the woman made that choice which means it is not necessary for her to have the right to terminate her mistake. Epicurus explains pleasure as an absence of disturbance, pregnancy is seen as a disturbance because it comes with new found responsibility and if the mother is not ready for that responsibility, it is a disturbance. Sex is not pleasure, sex can easily come with a disturbance. Pleasure is beyond unclear because of how it can be perceived, Epicurus wrote, “Pleasure is our starting point for every choice and avoidance. It is pleasureful to live without the responsibility of children, making the choice to choose pleasure is making the choice of responsible sex. Some can argue that Epicurus is pro-choice because he said, “When pain is removed, we are, according to him, in a state of the highest pleasure.” The argument can very well be that the removal of the fetus is the removal of pain, but the abortion process is pain in it of itself. Murder causes pain. The highest pleasure is a state of “ataraxia” which is freedom from distress and worry, freedom from being a parent. Having children is choosing a job of worrying for the rest of one’s life, choosing unsafe sex is choosing something other than
Some attacks on pro-life is the stereotype of christians being the majority on the pro-life side. Although Epicurus even states, “Sexual intercourse has never done a man good, and he is lucky if it has not harmed him.” Sex has never done a man good, there is no good in choosing irresponsible sex because it brings pain. Pain is the exact opposite of our end goal as the human race. Christians are not the only ones who preach about safe sex because if not it can lead to reckless decision making like murdering your child. Epicurus says to be honest, loyal, trustworthy, and kind, these things will bring ultimate happiness. If we are all being loyal and kind then we would give the child in the womb the choice to live. That would be considered being loyal to the human that the mother chose to bring into the world. Aristotle