Abstract

This is a cultural analysis of beliefs in opposition to abortion. The beliefs are analyzed along three dimensions: moral reasoning styles; organizational styles, and ideological issues. ;Data are drawn from participant observation within two very different organizations opposed to abortion and from in-depth interviews with their members. One organization belongs to the single-issue mainstream prolife movement; the other is connected with a loose coalition of consistent-ethic-of-life organizations as promoted by the Archbishop of Chicago, Joseph Cardinal Bernardin. The latter group takes a multi-issue approach and considers that prolife includes positions against nuclear armaments, capital punishment and euthanasia, and support for social and economic justice issues. ;The most general finding is that the prolife viewpoint is not monolithic. It includes opposition on moral but not necessarily legal grounds. The moral reasoning styles of opponents to abortion vary and can be identified as a feminist versus masculinist style, but these styles do not necessarily correspond to individuals' gender. The two styles converge on certain religious and ideological dimensions. They diverge on matters of rhetorical styles, reasoning logic, ethical practice and the nature of morality. ;Public opinion on abortion rights has been consistent: support for abortion remains strong but partial. Abortion on demand is not the majority view; but the majority do not support complete elimination of legal abortion. The intense polemical nature of the public debate does not yet point to a possible solution. A major obstacle is the lack of articulation of a prolife view which captures respect for the human life of both mothers and their unborn children and is convincing to the majority of Americans. The implementation of this respect in the complex structures of modern society is a major cultural/ethical challenge