Humanist Views

on Abortion.
Humanist Views
• Abortion is often a morally acceptable choice.
• The choice is personal.
• Humanist respect life but do not believe that all life is
sacred.
• Must consider happiness and quality of life.
• The interest of women come first.
• The decision should be informed and all options
explored.
• Must consider long-term effects.
• It is better if a child is wanted.
 Humanist views
• They would try to look at the kindest outcome for
everyone involved and the action that would cause
least harm.
• They may take a situation ethical approach
therefore there is not one humanist view.
• Humanists tend to take on a prochoice stance
• They value HAPPINESS, PERSONAL CHOICE, QUALITY
OF LIFE
• They have campaigned for legalised abortions in the
1960s.
• Big questions is when does a foetus become a
person with feelings and rights. There is no one
point so this is subjective.
• Personal choice must be informed.
 Humanists believe that:
• We can live ____ lives without ________ or superstitious
beliefs;
• We only have ___ life and we should make the best of it,
_________ meaning and ________ for ourselves and making
sense of the world using ________, experience and shared
human _______;
• We should try to live ______ and fulfilled lives and help
others to;
• The way to achieve this is to live ____________, thinking
rationally about right and wrong, considering the
______________ of our ______ and trying to do the right
thing.
• The value ______ over ______ of life

Creating, actions, quality, responsibly, values, One, reason, Lives,

consequences, purpose, sanctity, religious, good, happy.
 Humanists believe that:

• we can live good lives without religious or superstitious

beliefs;
• we only have one life and we should make the best of it,
creating meaning and purpose for ourselves and making
sense of the world using reason, experience and shared
human values;
• we should try to live happy and fulfilled lives and help others
to;
• the way to achieve this is to live responsibly, thinking
rationally about right and wrong, considering the
consequences of our actions and trying to do the right thing.
• They value quality over sanctity of life.
Key areas to
focus on
• Quality of life
• Personal choice – informed
• Happiness
• Utilitarianism – ‘Greatest
good for the greatest
number.’