We live in an era in which society and our government, try to control our every action. So is the case with abortion. If we lived in a world where abortion was not legal, then women would not have the benefits of liberty and self-realization. This would ultimately mean that women would not have control over their own bodies. A fetus is not a person; it is an entity that could one day become a person, a potentiality. This means murder is not committed by abortion, so no extensive harm to the community is done. According to my harm principle, an individual is free to do as he wishes, as long as no harm is done to others. Individuals are rational enough to make decisions about their good being. The Government should only interfere when the safety of the society is at risk. Having said that, it is clear that abortion is a self-regarding not an other-regarding act. So no matter how much we disapprove or blame we may not intervene, ultimately the decision lies solely to the bearer of the fetus. Don’t get me wrong I understand there is a great deal of sadness and guilt involved in abortion, because of it; a person will never come to be. Nevertheless as long as no harm is brought upon society, society has no say on an individuals actions or choices. Law and morality cannot be and must not be the same. Many immoral acts are and should be legal, if not we would all be subjects to tyranny of a foolish majority and our liberty would be excluded.
John Stuart Mill - JSM
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