Abortion
Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by loss or destruction of the fetus before birth (Hogue 1). It’s a topic that is almost always charged with emotion. Abortion has been practiced since ancient times in almost every culture. Despite humankind’s long exposure to the topic, they can still find no common outlook on it.
Abortion has been around since the beginning of civilization. Dates as early as 53 B.C.E. show evidence that abortions took place (Rein 4). Abortions have been done approved or disapproved in almost every culture throughout history. Even in ancient times no common ground could be established on the subject. In Ancient Assyria aborting a baby was punishable by death. Ancient Greeks and Romans on the other hand, promoted abortion as a form of population control. In fact some of the most revered philosophers in history, such as Plato (428-347 B.C.E.) and Aristotle (384-322 B.C.E.) strongly approved the use abortion. On the other side Hippocrates (460-370 B.C.E.) and Pythagorean (unknown) two also revered philosopher, had a very different view. They both disapproved of use abortion (Rein 4). (more…)
