Citation

Farr AD. J. Med. Ethics 1980; 6(1): 7-10.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1980, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

6990001

PMCID

PMC1154775

Abstract

In 1795 the Marquis de Sade published his "La Philosophie dan le Boudoir," in which he proposed the use of induced abortion for social reasons and as a means of population control. Although previously the subject had not been discussed in public, it is from this time that medical and social acceptance of abortion can be dated. De Sade held all life cheaply and spent most of his life attacking God and the Christian church. "La Philosophie dan le Boudoir" attacks established religion, morality, family ties and social structures, and advocates sodomy, incest, lust, and cruelty for its own sake. De Sade scorned the view that man in not responsible for his own existence and God grants an embryo its soul. The realistic view, according to de Sade, was that since murder is such a trivial matter destruction of an infant which has not achieved the age of reason is of small consequence. The author's exhortations were in agreement with the anti-religious, anti-clerical atmosphere in France during the age of revolution. His books sold well. It is suggested that it was due to de Sade's writing that induced abortion received the impetus which resulted in its subsequent popularity and use in western society.

Language: en