Aristotle illustrates that fairness and having courage is the best way to answer questions in ethics. He uses the word “eudaimonia” which is the purpose of mankind. Eudaimonia is the state of permanent happiness, rather than momentary synapses of happiness. I will use Aristotle’s thought that human function is rational activity for the question of should abortions be banned. Rational activity refers to a decision-making process based on making choices that will result in optimal benefit or utility for an individual. Aristotle states that happiness consists in achieving, through the course of a whole lifetime, things such as health, wealth, knowledge, and friends, and this will lead to the perfection of human nature and enrich human life. This will require people to make certain choices, which can be really difficult. A lot of people want abortions to be banned because people argue that life begins at conception and abortion is murder, but I will argue that abortions should be determined solely by the women because it’s their bodies, fetuses are incapable of feeling pain when abortions are performed, and it enhances happiness and reduces stress. The idea I’m going to defend is that we should follow our hearts when making ethical decisions. Your heart is connected to your emotions and feelings which will tell you how to answer questions.

Initially, my previous essays in this course consisted of a discussion of Thrasymachus’ view about justice and how important is character in ethics from Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics. Thrasymachus’ believed people should pursue self-interest and that there is no reason to want to help others. I argued that his views would make the world a terrible place and when you are helping others, not only is it good for the people your helping, but you are doing a good thing for yourself. My second essay on “How important is character in ethics?”  In Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, I argued against the term of situationism, which means the current and immediate situation is more influential than having innate traits with your personality and argued that your personal traits will lead you in the right direction all the time and your character come from within, which is the true you. With both of those previous essays, my thought process with answering the ethical questions consisted of following my heart. Your heart will never betray you and following your heart will lead you to a satisfying life filled with happiness and better self-awareness. I believe that because your heart knows the right thing to do and has the strength to carry you over tough decisions. Majority of the time, writing essays you run into them what if thoughts and determining if I should welcome those thoughts in. You have to follow your heart and feel inspired to write so you can don’t give those fearful thoughts any attention. When you follow your heart, it often leads you somewhere, a starting point and you’ll feel a different vibe especially from your heart. Your heart is the true you and will never guide you the wrong way.

However, the question of should abortions be banned is very difficult because it is an issue across the United States where one side of people believe women are not entitled to end the life of an unborn child, but on the other side, you have people who believe women have the right to decide what happens to their body. If we use rational activity, then it seems like we will be making choices that will result benefit the individual. Individuals should be able to make a decision on the basis of will it benefit or hurt them. For the people that say abortions should be banned, main points consist of abortion is murder, life begins at conception, so unborn babies are human beings with a right to life, fetuses feel pain during the abortion procedure, and abortions cause psychological damage. The people that say abortions shouldn’t be, main points are abortion is a “fundamental right” guaranteed by the US Constitution, women have the reproductive choice giving them control over their own bodies, fetuses aren’t able to feel pain when abortions are performed, and women who receive abortions are unlikely to suffer mental health problems than those who are denied from obtaining abortions. This debate has been a legal option that still divides American citizens since January 22, 1973 when the decision from Roe v. Wade had declared abortions are a “fundamental right”. According to ProCon.org, the Roe v. Wade court’s 7-2 decision established rules based on a pregnancy trimester framework, banning legislative interference in the first trimester of pregnancy, which is the 0-12 weeks and in the second trimester of 13-28 weeks.

The approach I chose when dealing with the question should abortions be banned is follow your heart because it will not lead you the wrong way. As Aristotle said ethics should be based on rationality and reason. He also talks about the internal good things which are goods of the body such as health and beauty and that will lead to the goods of the soul. When following your heart to answer questions, it will know how to answer an ethical question especially this specific one exact because as Aristotle states you will be making a decision for whatever benefits you and makes you the happiest. Aristotle and Thrasymachus agreed on making decisions that are best for you, but the difference between the two are Thrasymachus believes that injustice always involve acting so as to benefit whoever is in power and not yourself. I believe that if women can no longer obtain procedures for abortions then it will lead a baby possibly coming into the world unwanted or cause psychological problems such as depression. These issues can cause a lot more harm and damage than it sounds because unintended pregnancies can lead to various things such as low birth weight, birth defects, and increased risk of child abuse. Allowing women to choose whether to have an abortion or not will allow fairness and courage. Courage is enormous because it deals with the mental strength to face a difficult situation without fear, so when you put it into the topic of abortions, it will allow women to decide on they feel is necessary for their bodies. Aristotle mentions in Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics Book III, to live well, we need good laws, good upbringings, and form philosophy. It goes back to the point; you don’t want a baby coming into the world unintended nor wanted. Another argument for this is that some people’s heart tells them that abortions are always wrong. Just like some people are told abortions are right, some people are told its wrong. People have many reasons for not wanting abortion procedures to happen but my point clarifies that a women should have total control over her body and want to do what benefits her.

Ultimately, Aristotle’s term of “eudaimonia” is the best way to figure out what the right thing to do when faced with an ethical dilemma. You want to be in a permanent happiness state at all times especially when facing difficult decisions and following wherever your heart takes you. In my opinion, this a very simple theory which provides the best answer because Aristotle wants you to decide what’s in the best interest for yourself and use good judgement. When making decisions that benefit yourself, will lead to happiness, then to the perfection of human nature and enrich human life. I have applied this theory multiple times in my life and there are more possible ethical dilemmas where we can use Aristotle’s approach. Aristotle’s approach of rational activity and “eudaimonia” is the best way to approach should abortions be banned and ethical problems in life itself.