Abortion and Cultural Relativism
Abortion and Cultural Relativism
Using the ethical theory of cultural relativism I will demonstrate why physician assisted suicide, or PAS, should not become legalized in the United States. One of the key principles stated in the theory of cultural relativism is that what is deemed right and wrong by a particular culture at a particular period in time is what is ethical for that culture at that time. In the case of PAS we need merely look at the current law concerning the matter to determine it’s ethical nature. The United States Supreme Court in the case of Washington v. Glucksberg stated, “In almost every state- indeed, in almost every western democracy- it is a crime to assist a suicide”(243). In our democratic society we elect officials whom we entrust to act and govern on our behalf, more or less they represent the beliefs and values for at least the majority of citizens in our culture. Taking that in mind, the Supreme Court states, ”Indeed, opposition to and condemnation of suicide- and, therefore, of assisting suicide- are consistent and enduring themes of our philosophical, legal, and cultural heritages”(243). The very fact that PAS is currently outlawed in our society means that it is not ethical in nature with respect to cultural relativism.
Another argument, which supports not legalizing physician assisted suicide, is given in an article written by Paul Chamberlin. He claims that by legalizing PAS you are giving people a choice that creates an unneeded and potentially harmful burden. Having to make this choice forces people to make a drastic decision effecting not only their life, but also the lives of their family, at a time when they are feeling practically worthless. Chamberlin states it best when he says, “By giving them the choice to die, we will have also unwittingly placed upon these vulnerable people the added burden of having to justify their own continued existence, if not to others, at least to themselves, and this at a time when they feel useless, discouraged, and a burden to others”(271).
Another controversial topic affecting the lives of many people is that of abortion. I will show that, according to cultural relativism, a women should have the right to an abortion at any time during the pregnancy prior to viability, that being the time when the fetus has the capacity of...