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Additionally, the teleological theory of Utilitarianism (U) can be used as a good form of secular guidance. U was devised by Jeremy Bentham in 1789. He defended the “greatest happiness principle”, which is where an action is claimed right if it leads to the greatest happiness. In this secular society, it can be used as moral guidance when dealing with abortion as it can applicable for both to both the happiness of the mother and the happiness of the foetus based on their potential quality of life. In order to know whether abortion would be an action that produces the greatest amount of good, the idea of Hedonism, devised by Jeremy Bentham, could be used as good moral guidance. Hedonism states that an action is more valuable if it produces the greatest amount of happiness for the longest amount of time. As abortion could have a life-long effect, it could produce the greatest amount of happiness if it improves the quality of life for the mother and the foetus. 

However, U can be criticised in this sense as a  ‘good life’ is subjective. This is because what may be an unsatisfying life for someone else, may be very satisfying for someone else. If the said mother who is living in unfortunate circumstances did give birth to her baby, it may not be as irrational as we may think. For example, if the mother is fairly poor and will struggle to provide enough for both her and her child, this doesn’t mean that her and her child will necessarily lead a bad life. The mother, provided that she wants the child, may be able to give the child the nurturing love and attention that it needs whereas an extremely wealthy family might not be able to do this for their children. The mother may find that her happiness has significantly increased now that she has a child. 

There are further arguments in the abortion debate that consider the mother and her moral rights. One argument put forward by Jarvis Thomson is that although the foetus may have some rights, in the end the mother’s rights and decisions will always outweigh this. The mother is more important as she already has an established life with existing personal relationships, achievements and commitments whereas a foetus does not. Thomson gives an analogy of a violinist who has suffering with kidney problems. There is only one way to survive and that is if he is plugged into the circulatory system as someone with the same blood type for 9 months. This someone is you. Although you could request to not be connected to him, the violinist will die. Using this analogy, Thomson says that even though it would be an act of kindness if you did allow him to connect to you for 9 months, you are not obliged to. This is because you have a life of your own and it would be more wrong if you were forced to give up your life to save someone than if the violinist died because you didn’t save them. Thomson compares the violinist to a foetus and argues that if the mother is forced to carry the foetus and look after it, her life could be seriously damaged, which is unreasonable. Therefore, Thomson argues that in some cases abortion is completely reasonable and the right thing to do.

Just as religion doesn’t always object to abortion, secularism doesn’t always support abortion either. Don Marquis brings forward the idea that abortion is wrong because the future of the foetus is being taken away. In Marquis’ point of view, the foetus is being robbed of a life filled with experiences, activities and enjoyments. He states that this is the reason why murder is wrong, rather than the effect murder has on the relatives of the victim. In response to the counterargument that a foetus cannot value its own future, Marquis suggests that although they cannot value their own future someone else may value theirs. 

Overall, in regard to abortion, religion and ethical ideas can be used together as guidance to show that abortion is not morally wrong. As religious concepts such as SE and Islam preaches compassion and U advocates happiness, they both show that raising the child in inadequate circumstances is crueller than abortion. Religion and ethics guides us in decision making as they highlight the rights of the mother as a leading role. As the Qu’ran says “to you be your religion, to me be mine”. This quote can be used to support the idea that abortion is a very personal topic, people should keep with their views and allow others to keep to theirs.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/tens-of-thousands-of-women-share-their-abortion-experiences-in-global-attempt-to-end-stigma-10512161.html