Abortion – (Im)moral or indifferent? - Ivan Padovani

It is not my intention to spark off a discussion on morality, with all the philosophical views that will undoubtedly flow from it. However, I do feel the need to point out to Isabel Stabile (‘Abortion laws fit for purpose?’, July 20) that, while she claims to espouse a fluid view of the nature of morality, she does not shy from simultaneously imposing upon it hard rules of her own making.

Thus, she attributes the status of fact to something that is nothing more than her personal view that the belief in the existence of only one moral system is a false belief.

Stabile then goes on to imply that a morality system is not entirely subjective but, in the same breath, claims that it is not God-imposed either. She stops short of developing this curious line of thought to its natural conclusion, which is that if it is not imposed by God, then it must be made up by man – in which case, man’s views on any subject being notoriously changeable, it cannot be anything other than subjective.

Further points are subsequently raised that merit a little more attention at the very least. I agree that it is good “to engage in this discussion with anyone who is willing to listen, reflect and form...