Reply #131: That can be debated [View All]

[Mixopterus]

Let's just say I take human rights and social fairness extremely seriously. My philosophical background in such affairs is deontological via Kant and Ross, with a strong component of modern Aristotelian virtue ethics, so it's not exactly like I am basing my philosophical position on sand.

I generally disagree with sterilization of any sort on principle as a infringement on human dignity, but the decision is a personal one and the ethical issues can be more or less negated when one factors in consent to the operation. However, this consent can only really be called such if it is truly an individual position and not reliant upon an inherently transient social exchange (a relationship). In other words:

If the person is making the decision as a life choice
AND the decision is independent of a relationship
THEN there is nothing wrong with sterilization

The problem is that many people seem to make their decision because of their current relationship, which contradicts the second principle. In addition, I question anyone who would advise others to submit to sterilization as a form of contraception, especially due to principle 2.