Date of Award

6-1926

Degree Type

Bachelors Essay

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Department

Philosophy

First Advisor

John F. McCormick

Second Advisor

William M. Magee

Abstract

At the present day one quite often hears a discussion of birth-control. And it is interesting to note how varied and shallow are the ethical opinions put forth by those in favor of it. The advocates of abortion seem to have but the vaguest notion of the Natural Law, forgetting that morality is not made in its fundamental principles by personal whim or religious creed, but by the requirements of Divine Order, which must forever prevail. Abortion is practiced in some degree by the laity without the intervention of a physician. Very often, however, it is prescribed by medical men who unfortunately lack moral training. This disregard for human life is acquired by medical students from obstetrical books, which are written by men who have not the least concern for fundamental ethical principles. Little wonder then that some doctors will kill and maim as long as the civil law declares no punishment for their operations. Some physicians even bold, that since the state does not prosecute a medical man for therapeutic abortion on an inviable fetus, this practice is scientific and commendable; and should a man's conscience forbid him to kill a fetus to alleviate maternal suffering, he is guilty of malpractice. Such physicians seem to make the state their criterion of morality. This thesis aims to present the true principles underlying abortive practices.

Comments

A Thesis Submitted to Fulfill the Requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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