Morality on Two Crossroad: A Case of Premature Pregnancy and Abortion in Buddhist View

Abstract

This article aims at clarifying the problem of premature pregnancy and abortion whether is wrong or  acceptable. Abortion is the end of pregnancy before the baby can live outside of  mother's womb or ending of pregnancy before 28 weeks. The confusion was that  categorical imperative ethics hold such case is wrong without exception. The   question raises if in-womb baby was incomplete, sick, probably causing danger and  burden to mother after, and child's suffering. With this condition, the categorical   imperative view might damage moral itself. Abortion involves with mother who decided to commit the abortion, doctor, supporters or those who are agree  with such abortion action, all are considered completely wrong. Moral  weakness, parents' lack knowledge and irresponsibility, family planning  mistakes are main causes of premature pregnancy in Thailand. The solution,  in Buddhism's viewpoint, is middle way, i.e., family should conduct good  warm relationship, learning, giving right sexual education to children,  immoral media control and encouraging them to follow morality and ethics  by implying Buddhist moral teachings such as the five precepts and five moral deeds to abstain from killing, misconduct in sexual relations,  maintaining compassion and truthfulness in spouses, including the three training principles, morality, meditation, wisdom, etc.