Ethical dilemmas, in particular bioethics, are complex situations in which many factors and views need to be taken into account. Parris (2018) draws attention to the fact that the opinion of a part of society not affected by such a dilemma or problems is often stigmatized, which is not tolerable. He was concerned about the triumph of abortion supporters in Ireland after the referendum and the conclusion that this is only a women’s issue. He asks whether not Muslim women can be excluded from the discussion of female genital mutilation, Christians from a matter of the ritual slaughter of animals, heterosexuals and agnostics – from Christian persecution of gays. One may agree with the author that the speeches in Ireland were too rude. However, despite the author’s condemnation of moral triumphalism, in the reasoning, he does not consider the prevalence of uninformed opinions on controversial issues, and his final questions are close to extremes.
There are often decades of struggle for rights behind such dilemmas. In particular, on abortion, it is essential to consider how long women have struggled with patriarchy, what burden pregnancy is for the body, and other factors such as rape. In this issue and other matters, the affected person’s experience may not be a determining factor for the expression of opinion but is unique. No one will be able to talk about the church’s persecution as this can do a representative of the sexual minority who survived years of condemnation. At the same time, there are people in society who can listen and take into account this experience, and those who do not want to do this but still express their beliefs. Having no knowledge and information about a particular problem, too many people are prone to condemnation, which leads to the reverse stigma of their opinion.
In response to the author’s final questions, excluding anyone from discussing ethical issues is impossible as they affect broader social problems. Representatives of society cannot get away from other people’s problems but instead should bring them out for discussion. However, people should care not to offend religious feelings, to remember that development, particularly of morality, is gradual, and to express tolerance for other opinions. Thus, experience does not give the exclusivity of the right to talk about the problem but provides the argument with more significance.
Reference
Parris, M. (2018). Abortion triumphalism is deeply troubling. The Times. Web.