In class we've been reading a lot about the pro-choice and pro-life sides of the abortion debate. Studying Roe v. Wade and other Constitutional Law issues in my high school government class, issues like these undoubtedly inspired me to pursue law and have an interest in being a public interest lawyer.
But how can Haidt's moral foundations be applied to the abortion issue, and how can this application apply to my vocation today?
First, Haidt's moral foundations easily apply to different perspectives regarding this controversial issue.
Absolutist pro-life advocates rest their perspectives solely on the sanctity/degradation foundation, while staunch pro-choice advocates rest their points of view only on the fairness/equality foundation of liberty/equality moral foundation (the 6th moral foundation that Haidt develops further after publishing The Righteous Mind.) Reconciling these two views is a different task, but recognizing the individual merits of both arguments and moral foundations of those arguments is at least a generous starting point to cracking the code.
Hays's argument in his chapter on abortion, however, asserts that the "Christian" thing to do is recognize fairness/equality above sanctity/degradation when the issue extends beyond the community of the church. Having a high regard for the law and law that extends beyond a faith-based conception, I agree with Hays but think as a Christian, it's also necessary to recognize his view in governing one's individual life.
Putting this learning into my vocational calling, if I am to settle any public interest disputes or constitutional issues, I will place the fairness/equality foundation above Christian notions of sanctity/degradation, but I think a personal regard for the sanctity of life and recognition of the strong merits of the Christian pro-life argument is necessary to make judicious rulings on the issues.
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