Philosophy

Upon reading about how some states are initiating laws that ban abortion as soon as a “heartbeat” is heard, I can’t help but ponder the profound question: when does life truly begin?

Associated Press reports extensively on this matter, shedding light on the ongoing debate.

Another article from ThoughtCo delves even deeper, asking the provocative question: Is Abortion Murder?

Yet, beneath the surface of these debates lies a more profound inquiry. Does a woman’s right to choose supersede the potential right of a life gestating within her? Are there not two sets of rights in play here, each deserving consideration? Shouldn’t the highest chambers of Congress (the US Congress) be engaging in thoughtful discourse on these matters?

“To believe or not to believe… that is the question!” Does it matter whether an individual’s moral compass leads them to regard a pre-viable embryo or fetus as a sentient human being? Alternatively, is it plausible to hold no such convictions and view a fetus as a non-sentient organism?

A clarifying perspective comes from a Princeton University article: Life Begins at Fertilization. It asserts that a new human embryo, the nascent point of human existence, takes form with the creation of the one-celled zygote.

So, if life indeed commences at fertilization, it naturally beckons the question: why should it be within a woman’s purview to dictate when life ends?

In light of this revelation, the notion presented in the article “Is Abortion Murder?” becomes more complex. If life truly commences at fertilization, then a woman and her physician cannot simply view it as the termination of a non-sentient organism. From a standpoint of logic and science, there exists the potential for criminal negligence for not acknowledging that a pre-viable embryo or fetus is indeed a sentient human being. Science has categorically determined that life embarks at conception, rendering abortion a profoundly grave matter.

However, a counterargument arises: what if the conception resulted from a heinous act, such as rape?

Statistics reveal that the national rape-related pregnancy rate is 5.0% per rape among victims of reproductive age (aged 12 to 45).

In my humble opinion, it is Congress, with a capital C, that should be grappling with these profound issues and striving to resolve them. Sadly, the reality is that we may not have elected representatives who possess the capacity to navigate the intricate intersections of law, morality, politics, theology, and philosophy. It appears that, collectively, our society may not be as intellectually equipped as it once was a century ago.

It’s vital to remember that the Court doesn’t create law; it interprets it. The fact that it assumed this role in the landmark case of Roe v. Wade speaks volumes about the capabilities of our elected officials. Congress, on the other hand, is tasked with crafting legislation, not merely interpreting it. Our President, meanwhile, upholds and enforces these laws. Regrettably, rather than engaging in rigorous debate and thoughtful contemplation of the profound issues before them, our political leaders often resort to the theatrics of blame and partisanship, leaving critical questions unanswered and the public yearning for true leadership.