News in Review – September 2013 – Teacher Resource Guide HENRY MORGENTALER: Death of a Canadian Protagonist

Note to Teachers: Teachers should be aware that the teaching of sensitive and controversial issues such as abortion may provoke emotional responses from students. A high degree of care should be taken before the lesson to ensure that the learning environment allows for conflicting sets of values to be processed analytically and with respect for differences in people and their identities, cultures and world views.

THINKING THROUGH ARGUMENTS

When you "make" an argument, you are attempting to convince others that your views on whether something is wrong or right, good or bad, are reasonable and should be believed.

When considering the arguments that we make and the arguments other people make, it is helpful to recognize that anyone, ourselves included, can reason well or poorly. There is "good" reasoning and there is "bad" or "flawed" reasoning. There are lots of arguments regarding abortion since it is a highly controversial and sensitive issue to many people. In this activity, you will think through some of the arguments regarding abortion and consider your own.

Consider the following examples of arguments regarding abortion:

• "If you support abortion, you must hate babies."

• "A fetus is a human being, therefore, abortion is murder."

• "A fetus is not a human being, therefore, abortion is not murder."

• "Only women‐haters are against abortions."

• "Forcing a woman to have a baby, by threat of criminal sanction, infringes on the security of the person (the woman)."

1. Which of these examples do you think are better arguments that could be reasonably proven to be correct?

2. Which examples do you think are weak/poor arguments?

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SEPTEMBER 2013 — HENRY MORGENTALER: DEATH OF A CANADIAN PROTAGONIST

Logical Fallacies

When judging the quality of reasoning, it can be helpful to name the weakness in reasoning or logical fallacy that may be used in an argument. Instead of saying, "that doesn't make sense" or "that's a lame argument," you can name the specific fallacy that is presented and work to improve the reasoning in the argument.

Below is a selection of common logical fallacies and some examples for you to consider. Talk through these sentences with a partner until you feel you understand the qualities of the fallacy and can think of another example where the fallacy has been used in an argument.

Ad hominem Slippery slope This fallacy occurs when you attack another This fallacy occurs when you argue that a person instead of the person's argument. specific course of action is likely to result in unintended consequences that are undesirable. "Yeah, you would think that, 'cause you're crazy/stupid/naive/emotional." "If abortions are legal, what's to stop the legalization of infanticide (killing unwanted children soon after birth)?"

False dilemma This fallacy occurs when two choices are presented as the only choices, when in fact Non sequitur there could be more choices possible. This fallacy occurs when your conclusion does not flow logically from the statement that "You can either follow God's law or man‐made preceded it. laws." "Abortion is wrong because we might abort a "Woman can either have the right to choose an future doctor that would have cured cancer." abortion or they have to keep the baby."

Special pleading (Double standard) Appeal to emotion This fallacy occurs when you apply a standard to This fallacy occurs when you try to manipulate someone else that is different from a standard someone's emotions, rather than use valid you apply to yourself. logic, to win an argument. "You can't possiblt understand what it's like to "How would you like to be raped and have to be pregnant — you're a man." keep a baby?"

Task: Written Reflection

In a two- or three-paragraph written reflection think about arguments that you have heard regarding abortion (keep in mind an argument is not an opinion; opinions are simply a person's belief). Write down two or three arguments that you recall. Consider if the argument uses sound reasoning or if the argument involves any logical fallacies. Reflect on why it is difficult to reason well if the issue is particularly controversial or sensitive.

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SEPTEMBER 2013 — HENRY MORGENTALER: DEATH OF A CANADIAN PROTAGONIST

SETTING THE STAGE

Henry Morgentaler’s beginnings Henryk (Henry) Morgentaler was born in on March 19, 1923.

When the Nazis invaded Poland in 1939, his father, a textile factory worker and union organizer, was killed by the . Henry and his mother, brother and sister were left to live in the Lodz ghetto for most of the war. His sister died there.

In 1944, Henry and his mother and brother were sent to Auschwitz, a Nazi concentration camp in Poland. His mother was killed, and he and his brother became slave laborers. They were later shipped to Dachau, a Nazi concentration camp in Germany where they were finally liberated by the Allies in 1945. When the concentration camp was liberated, Henry weighed under 32 kilos and had lost all his teeth.

His career and early controversies Henry studied medicine in Germany and He was again arrested but acquitted by a . and moved to in 1950, The jury's decision was overturned by the finishing medical school at the University of in April 1974. The in 1953. For 15 years he practiced upheld the appeal general medicine in a working-class district of court's decision and Morgentaler was given a Montreal. As a doctor, he saw women die of 18-month jail sentence. While in jail, he had a sepsis (a life-threatening complication from a heart attack and was moved to a nursing home. severe infection) after botched, illegal abortions. The Quebec Court of Appeal upheld his second He appeared before a House of Commons jury acquittal. After serving 10 months, he was committee to argue that pregnant women should released and acquitted for a third time. The have the right to safe abortions. newly elected Parti Quebecois halted all prosecution against him in December 1976. In 1969, Dr. Morgentaler opened his first abortion clinic, he trained hundreds of doctors to Every mother a willing mother perform abortions and he performed thousands Dr. Morgentaler became a household name in of them himself. Police raided his clinic in June Canada and a controversial public figure. His 1970. He was charged with procuring an illegal motto was “Every mother a willing mother, abortion. After the Supreme Court every child a wanted child.” He was threatened ruled in 1973 that women have the right to with death and began wearing bulletproof vests abortion, Dr. Morgentaler began a national after several abortion doctors were shot. He campaign for a new in Canada. He escaped injury when his clinic in was admitted then that he had performed more than firebombed. His clinics were picketed by 5,000 illegal abortions. protesters and raided by the police.

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SEPTEMBER 2013 — HENRY MORGENTALER: DEATH OF A CANADIAN PROTAGONIST

Abortion law struck down trained and willing to perform them. It seems On January 28, 1988 the Supreme Court of that abortion remains an unresolved Canada declared Canada's abortion law controversial issue even within the medical field. unconstitutional. Five years later the Supreme Court unanimously struck down Controversial to the last regulations which had restricted abortions to In 2008, Dr. Morgentaler was inducted into the hospitals. . His selection was deeply controversial. Some previous recipients of the Today, abortion is considered a medical service honour gave theirs back in protest. \ guaranteed by the Canada Heath Act. However, only 17 percent of hospitals in Canada provide Henry Morgentaler died on May 29, 2013. Even abortions, due to a shortage of doctors who are in death, his legacy remains disputed: was he a hero or villain?

To consider

1. Why would some people argue that Henry Morgentaler deserves the Order of Canada?

2. Why would some people argue that Henry Morgentaler doesn't deserve the Order of Canada?

3. Do you think Henry Morgentaler deserves the Order of Canada or not? State your reasons.

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SEPTEMBER 2013 — HENRY MORGENTALER: DEATH OF A CANADIAN PROTAGONIST

VIDEO REVIEW

Note to Teachers: Teachers should be aware that the teaching of sensitive and controversial issues such as abortion may provoke emotional responses from students. A high degree of care should be taken before the viewing of the video to ensure that the learning environment allows for conflicting sets of values to be processed analytically and with respect for differences in people and their identities, cultures and world views.

Pre‐viewing

1. What emotions do you feel when thinking about and/or discussing the topic of abortion?

2. How do you think your age, gender, family, religion and/or experiences have impacted your views on abortion?

3. Abortion is a complex, controversial topic that involves multiple considerations: medical, ethical, spiritual, legal and women's rights issues. Choose one of these considerations and, with a partner, explore the issue of abortion through this lens. Note questions that arise, as well as your agreements and disagreements.

While viewing

1. What Canadian law or laws were overturned in the Supreme Court on January 28, 1988?

2. Dr Henry Morgentaler was born in the country of ______. He was a survivor of ______.

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SEPTEMBER 2013 — HENRY MORGENTALER: DEATH OF A CANADIAN PROTAGONIST

3. Morgentaler believed that any woman should have the right to ask for a termination of pregnancy within ______months of pregnancy.

4. Why did Dr. Morgentaler spend ten months in jail?

5. What negative and violent reactions did Morgentaler face?

6. What did Morgentaler say was his motivation in his actions?

7. How did socio-economic class play a part in access to abortions before they were legalized in Canada?

8. True or False? Morgentaler did believe a fetus is a human being. ______

9. True or False? Morgentaler was angry that the state (government) could tell a woman what she could do with her body. ______

10. What is one of the arguments that those who oppose abortion offer?

11. Who assisted Morgentaler in his fight to change Canadian laws?

12. Why do some people think Morgentaler will go down in history as a remarkable person?

13. What is Prime Minister Harper's stance on the abortion issue?

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SEPTEMBER 2013 — HENRY MORGENTALER: DEATH OF A CANADIAN PROTAGONIST

Post‐viewing

1. What do you infer about the personality of Dr. Morgentaler from what is said in this video?

2. Who else’s point of view do you think would be important to consider in a news story on his life?

3. Do you think the Morgentaler was a hero, a villain or something else? Why?

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SEPTEMBER 2013 — HENRY MORGENTALER: DEATH OF A CANADIAN PROTAGONIST

CONSIDERING DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES

To consider another person’s perspective effectively, it helps to keep an open mind to ideas and beliefs different than your own. Learning can occur when we are able to respectfully think through many different perspectives and consider the impact of our decision-making on other people. This activity requires you to read quotations on the topic of abortion and to consider how your thinking has changed as a result of reading other perspectives.

Consider the two quotes by Dr. Morgentaler below:

1. What are the main reasons that Dr. Morgentaler wanted abortion to be legal and accessible for Canadian women? 2. Do you agree with his arguments? Why or why not? 3. What new idea "stretched" your thinking in these quotes?

We have come a very long way indeed, women no longer live with the anxiety of continuing a “ pregnancy when they are not ready to be a mother, and they are not losing their lives and health by having abortions performed by non‐licensed, non‐practising doctors. This safety for women has made a tremendous difference because it means that women no longer die because of illegal abortions. „ – Henry Morgentaler, Herizons, Spring 1998 I knew I could not save my mother [in Auschwitz in 1944]. But I could save other mothers. It “ was an unconscious thought. It became almost like a command, If I help women to have babies at a time when they can give love and affection, they will not grow up to be rapists or murderers. They will not build concentration camps. „ – Henry Morgentaler, Canadian Dimension, July/August 2013

Consider the quotes below and on the following page regarding abortion:

1. First consider who is making the statements. Can you infer what their point of view may be from their identity? 2. Summarize the arguments presented. Which quote resonates the most with you and why? 3. What new idea "stretched" your thinking in these quotes?

In a culture free of sexism, there would be no justification possible for the anti‐choice position, “ which states it is more important for women to give birth to children than to live their lives as they see fit. „

– Stefanie Clermont, university student and co‐host of the feminist radio show The Third Wave, This Magazine, January‐February 2012

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SEPTEMBER 2013 — HENRY MORGENTALER: DEATH OF A CANADIAN PROTAGONIST

Therefore, by the authority which Christ conferred upon Peter and his successors . . . I declare “ that direct abortion, that is, abortion willed as an end or as a means, always constitutes a grave moral disorder, since it is the deliberate killing of an innocent human being. This doctrine is based upon the natural law and upon the written word of God, is transmitted by the Church’s tradition and taught by the ordinary and universal magisterium. No circumstance, no purpose, no law whatsoever can ever make licit an act which is intrinsically illicit, since it is contrary to the law of God which is written in every human heart, knowable by reason itself, and proclaimed by the Church. „ – Pope John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae 62 I can understand why people hate him. They see him as a baby killer, I sympathize with their “ biases . . . but ultimately, we have to have a society in which people are given the choice regardless of what people's religious views happen to be. I think that's the fairest society we can live in. „ – Christopher diCarlo, author, philosophy academic and family friend of Morgentaler, Guelph Mercury, June 1, 2013

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