Abstract This paper provides a critical look at CarlSagan's article "Abortion: Is it Possible to be Both Pro-Life and Pro-Choice?", which provides both sides of the religious and scientific arguments that are currently part of the abortion issue in American society. The paper points out that Sagan provides a two-fold analysis of the science and theological definitions of life and how this acts within the social conflict between pro-life and pro-choice factions in their differing objectives for legislation on abortion. The paper also points out that Sagan seeks to promote the importance of why compromise and balance between these two factions are important in American society and for the creation of legislation on this issue. The paper concludes that, although Sagan provides a mastery of the scientific facts that are part of modern research of life in the womb, he is decidedly biased in his reliance on science.
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Discussion and Analysis
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From the Paper "The central issue for Carl Sagan is understanding the debate between the religious (pro-life) and the secular scientific (pro--choice) factions that currently debate the issue of abortion. Sagan argues for the issue of pro-life arguments that determine that the life in the womb is 'alive' at first conception, which Sagan refutes by imposing a more scientific point of view that life is not an issue related to conception, but that there is a longer history for human life since the beginning of the Earth, nearly 4.6 billion year ago (201). Yet with science, the clarity of these issues do not always refer a more valid sense of where and how life is determined within religious values. For pro-lifers in the American Christian culture, the idea of conception takes on a human characteristic that must also be taken into account due to missing details of current incomplete scientific evidence that equally philosophize on the nature of life."
Abstract The paper discusses how CarlSagan revolutionized how the world looked at space and the search for intelligent life beyond our planet. The paper talks about Sagan's popular PBS television series "Cosmos" and his novel "Billions and Billions", specifically focusing on the chapters on abortion, religion and science.
From the Paper "Born in 1934, Sagan grew up in a working-class Jewish neighborhood of New York and attended urban public schools in New York and New Jersey. The University of Chicago provided him scholarship support when he entered in 1951, and he continued there for graduate work, receiving his doctorate in astronomy in 1960. After two years as a postdoctoral in biology at Berkeley and Stanford, he joined the Harvard College astronomy faculty as Assistant Professor until 1968 and then moved to Cornell University to become Professor of Astronomy and Director of the Laboratory for Planetary studies."
Abstract This paper explains that CarlSagan successfully establishes his claim that the modern world waits in the dark at its own peril by building his logos using familiar images juxtaposed to believable facts. The author points out that Sagan builds his logos using familiar images juxtaposed to believable facts; by using the topoi of opposites, Sagan effectively grounds his claim without alienating those at whom he is pointing his finger. The paper relates that Sagan educates his readers by telling them why science has value and, thus, establishes more credibility with his audience.
From the Paper "Sagan begins "The Demon-Haunted World" (hereafter referred to as "Demon") in an encounter with the average Joe, a cab driver. He immediately creates his own ethical appeal to his audience though his patient attitude towards the driver's obviously inadequate grasp of true scientific knowledge. The driver is a victim, Sagan points out. "Our cultural motifs, our educational system, our communications media had failed this man." The reader is now aware of the author's character, and his words may carry increased value. This will lend validity to future argument and proofs put forth by the author. The remainder of the introduction reinforces the precarious state ignorance that characterizes "95 percent of Americans.""
Abstract This paper examines CarlSagan's clear and lucid style of writing which lends itself well to understanding the diverse number of issues as detailed in ""The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark." This paper discusses the basic theme of Sagan's novel which is the defense of technology as a necessity to improve man's existence on this planet. The writer of this paper also touches on Sagan's provision of figures which communicate the number of people who remain in the dark about matters of science.
From the Paper "Carl Sagan uses a clear and lucid style of writing which lends itself well to our understanding of the diverse number of issues he discusses. Perhaps the best way that Sagan creates such a clear understanding of his ideas in The Demon Haunted World is his art of using words effectively. From the beginning of the work his explanations are
handled with a sort of empathy so as not to demean the intelligence of true believers. Not once does he ever write anything to suggest that people who believe in the various pseudosciences are asinine. He simply shows the evidence in an unbiased, objective manner."
Abstract The focus of this paper is Carl Sauer's view of what constitutes the proper philosophy or perspective on education in geography, and also the main components it ought to have. The paper will also discuss the fact that Sauer was writing about fifty years ago and some of what he recommended (and experienced in his own education), has changed; some has remained the same.
Abstract This paper explores whether policy endogeneity partially explains the negative relationship generally reported between parental involvement laws and abortion rates, since parental involvement laws are found to be negatively related to both teen and adult abortion rates. Since parental involvement laws may be more likely to be passed in jurisdictions with a higher level of anti-abortion sentiment, both the laws and anti-abortion sentiment may be responsible for lower abortion rates. To explore this possible interrelatedness, a religiosity-level variable was used as a proxy for anti-abortion sentiment, since anti-abortion sentiment might affect abortion rates directly and indirectly through the greater likelihood of the enactment of parental involvement laws.
From the Paper "The relationship of parental involvement laws and religiosity level to abortion rates was analyzed for teens and adults; regressions were estimated for four age groups: 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, and 30-34 years old. Residence county-level 1995 abortion rates were regressed against parental involvement laws and religiosity levels as well as several control county-level variables--restrictive public funding, unemployment rate, population density, percent of college graduates, extent of poverty, percent of married-couple families, and geographic region. The sample consisted of the 1,008 counties from the 17 states that reported abortion numbers by county and by age group."
Tags:abortion, involvement, laws, parental, rates, research, study
Abstract This paper contends that few topics in American politics are more explosive and more divisive than abortion. It explains that although the legal history of abortion is relatively short, it is complicated and continues to be actively debated and pursued by activists on both sides of the argument: pro-choice activists are refocusing their fight to achieve greater access to abortions for all women and pro-life activists, while combating these new pro-abortion pursuits, continue to fight for an overturning of the original decision that led to the legalization of abortion, Roe v. Wade. This paper reviews a representation of the literature on the abortion debate, as well as the legal history and moral debate.
From the Paper "More than thirty years after Roe the jury is still out. Few topics in American politics are more explosive and more divisive than abortion. Perhaps this is because it encompasses a vast combination of one's constitutional rights, moral issues, religious belief .."
Abstract The paper begins by defining the anti-abortion position on abortion and then gives the statistics on the position of many countries regarding this issue. The pro-choice lobby is also cited and their views discussed. The body of the paper is based on the views on abortion in four countries: Brazil, China, France, and The United States. Each country has very different positions and laws regarding abortion and all are discussed in-depth. The paper concludes that each person must have a position on abortion. If abortion is wrong, then both mother and baby should be protected, unless it can be shown that one's life might be lost if the pregnancy were allowed to continue. If abortion is acceptable then the mother must be protected and society must understand that there is only one human in this equation.
From the Paper "There are many people today who believe that abortion is wrong and bad. They recognize that medical science has long since proven conclusively that human life begins at fertilization. Accordingly, they cannot and do not deny that abortion is killing. Further, most also believe abortion is against God's will. But there different peoples and theirs different points of view, even countries have own position on this problem: 39% of the world's women live under restrictive abortion laws: 25% in parts of the world where abortion is permitted only to save a woman's life or is prohibited altogether, 10% where abortion is allowed only when it is necessary to protect a woman's physical health or her life, and 4% in places where abortion is permitted only for these reasons or to protect a woman's mental health."
Tags:abortion, antopology, brazil, france, human, sexuality, usa, cultural, socioeconomic, differences, contraceptive, clandestine
Abstract This paper discusses how each individual progresses through the social order with the expectations of conforming to religious political community and personal expectations. Religion is in theory supposed to address the spiritual needs of the individual. The paper further discusses that as religions are consistently changing in society, this is not often the case. Medicine may address the diseases and illnesses that can be scientifically detected in the patient but often times there is pain that cannot be identified as having a direct physical cause. Psychologists, such as Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, believed that as human beings progressed through life their psychological conditions would create upheaval in a way that could create physical and spiritual unrest, with no apparent cure for the ailment.
This paper focuses strictly on the physical standpoint of abortion, as opposed to the moral and legal aspects, in which the writer proves why abortion should not be allowed to exist.
Abstract The writer of this paper does not dwell on the moral, religious or legal platform of abortion, yet focuses on the debatable issue from a strictly physical standpoint. This paper defines abortion as the knowing destruction of the life of an unborn child or the intentional expulsion or removal of an unborn child from the womb. This paper discusses the pros and cons regarding the availability of the RU-486 abortion pill as well as other abortion procedures. The RU-486 pill, which can be used within the first eight weeks of pregnancy, is a milestone to the abortion coalition. This paper examines the argument surrounding the viability of an unborn fetus in which the generally accepted rule for viability is around 28 weeks.
From the Paper "Cases have been reported of babies born four months premature, and weighing only one pound, nine ounces, surviving. If the abortion advocates could see what was being murdered they may not take it so lightly. For example, Cheryl Kondroski was 21 weeks pregnant when it was discovered that her baby had a very serious heart problem. After further testing showed that there was absolutely no chance of the baby even surviving the pregnancy, the decision was made to terminate the pregnancy. Labor was induced, and the little boy was born. Cheryl and the father were allowed to hold the baby. He was approximately 8 ? inches long and weighed a little over 1? pounds. Cheryl said, "His ears were still glued to his head. His eyes were shut, but his mouth was open. Everything, even fingernails and hair on his face, was there." Can anyone see this experience and still say that because this child could not survive on its own it was not a real child? Absolutely not."
Discusses the highly controversial topic of abortion, looking at arguments on both sides of the debate as well as how it relates to studies of sexuality and women's health issues.
1,800 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 10 sources, 2006, $ 71.95
Abstract This paper reviews literature on abortion and its relation to studies of sexuality, and health issues. The paper discusses the view held by some that abortion is antithetical to the long-term health of the mother, while other believe that preventing abortion can be a health issue for some women. The paper points out that abortion is an issue that is part of human sexuality, and a concern about abortion might prevent sexual activity for some, just as the possibility of an abortion might make some unnecessarily careless about birth control.
From the Paper "Abortion is a highly contentious issue in America today and has been at least since the Roe v. Wade decision made abortion legal. The question remains as to whether or not abortion should be legal, and while this is certainly a medical issue, the argument over the question is more often a political one. On the extreme ends of the spectrum are those who believe abortion should be made illegal in all circumstances, usually as an assertion of moral principle and supposedly a recognition of the importance of life; and those who believe abortion is entirely a matter of personal choice on the part of the mother and should be legal whenever requested. A number of intermediate positions can also be cited, from allowing abortion only for victims of rape and incest to restricting abortion under certain circumstances."
Abstract This paper discusses the negative effects of abortion. Abortion is the knowing destruction of the life of an unborn child. But this is only part of the story as abortion also hurts the woman involved. Abortion affects women physically, emotionally, and spiritually. When an abortion is performed on a woman, she becomes subject to many physical complications. Blood loss during the procedure causes diversion of blood flow to various organs and can result in shock.
Abstract This paper addresses the ethical perception of abortion as presented in the article, "The Right of Abortion" by Harriet Pilpel. This article is considered one of the most important documents in this history of the ethical issues of abortion, as it was first published in June of 1969 and summarizes the rights of women to receive abortions. Other sources shall be consulted to support this argument.
Tags: CRIMINAL JUSTICE, LEGAL ISSUES, CENSORSHIP, POLICY / HUMAN RIGHTS, right women abortions
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that abortion today has become a highly contentious ethical issue and the limits to which it is enforced within a legal system is primarily centered on the rationale of an unborn baby being (un)able to claim personhood. The writer points out that arguments are numerous both for and against this and are ultimately aimed at legally justifying access, or restriction, to abortion services. This essay argues that grounds for legalizing abortion are not conclusive and that they are in-fact arbitrary and fallacious in some cases. The writer puts forth a case for illegality in abortion law except under exceptional circumstances, through the objection of the pro-abortion arguments of fertilization being process, and a fetus is only a potential human being.
From the Paper "To insinuate that there is no difference between an ovum before and after fertilization is contrary to current scientific inquiry. The proposition of using the 'process' argument as a justification on relaxing the legal limit to abortion is at very least vague and the consequences of being wrong is worrisome. Being able to distinguish an exact point of personhood, based on subjective criteria, on a continuum, comes across as impossible and plagued by arbitrary judgments.
"Garrett Hardin, formally professor of biology at the University of California in Santa Barbara, writing before the 1967 legalizing of abortion in the United States reasons that the killing of very young embryos is not the same as killing at another stage in life, claiming we are not the same person at different stages of life."
