By now we have all seen a lot of heat in the abortion debates. Sadly, we have not seen much light.

This is what happens when the extremists take over the debate.  This is increasingly common in modern society. The extremists take over and yell at each other. The louder the voice, the more powerful the argument. At least that is the common view. In so many debates, together the fanatics drown out all the humble voices. Perhaps nowhere has that been demonstrated more clearly than in the current abortion debates. Both sides scream at each other and neither side sees the human in the other.

The great Irish poet, William Butler Yeats, got it right when he said, at times of crisis like we have now with abortion debate,  “The best lack all conviction; the worst are filled with passionate intensity.” Inevitably, that leads to disaster.

I begin with the recognition that both the pro-life position and the pro-choice position have some truth on their side.  The people who argue for pro-life and reject all counter arguments do so on the basis of the principle that human life is sacred. Basically, that is true. I accept that principle. But does that really solve the problem? Does it end debate right there? I think it does not.

After all what is human life? Where does human life begin? Are there two lives when a woman is carrying a foetus?  Or is there only one life—i.e. the woman who is pregnant? If so then it is only her life that is relevant to this discussion.

When are there two lives?  It is clear that once the child is born and it’s umbilical cord is severed from the mother then there are two lives. Earlier than that it is not so clear.

But perhaps there are two lives earlier than birth. For example, it has been the implicit rationale of the opinions of many that at some point—before birth—the foetus becomes an independent life. Some have said this point in time occurs when the foetus is viable. In other words, once the foetus is capable of living independently of the mother then from that moment it is should be treated as a human and it’s life is sacred and to abort it after that time is murder.

There is room however for debate about when this occurs.  Is the foetus a human life from the moment of conception, as some believe, or the moment of viability as others believe or the moment of a live birth?  My point is that until then there is uncertainty and we should recognize the uncertainty and we should be wary of absolute opinions. Such opinions are dangerous and can cause grievous harm.

We should be wary of the evils of certainty.

Bertrand Russel also got it right when he said,  “the trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure, while the intelligent are full of doubt“.  That is indeed the problem. The solution is to be aware of that trouble and act accordingly.