Cultural and cognitive sources (conditioning) of dispute about acceptability of abortion - philosophic and educational context

Abstract

The foundation of the contemporary contention of acceptance of aborting pregnancy is, de facto, the uncertainty concerning the ontic, moral and legal status of a human embryo. Setting the criteria that a human being must fulfill, is not merely a theoretical question but also a burning issue that has its reflection in practice. Reflecting upon the acceptability of aborting pregnancy exclusively on the basis of the latest data concerning embryology seems to be deprived of wider perspective. The given contention is as old as the human knowledge allowing to cease the developing human life at prenatal stage. The historic view on the being existing in mother’s womb allows to grasp the key aspects of the contention which influence the shape of the contemporary discourse in this field. Referring to the sources of philosophical - theological reflections has also its normative implications. The program and the ground of the periodical requires also drawing one’s attention to the aspects of education and awareness concerning the discourse, in historical context, on the acceptability of aborting pregnancy.