Theoretical Reviewing Of Overlapping Consensus In The Context Of Abortion Debate

Since the beginning of the late modern era, modern constitutions have been trying to keep both group rights as minority rights and individual rights. But, in some cases, it is still ambiguous if an action must refer to individual rights or minority rights. Abortion discussions, with regard to political rights, is one of example of these ambiguous cases. In this context, whereas Liberal view tends to regard abortion as individual rights of a woman, Communitarian view can be against it by pointing out right to life and this case may lead to a kind of liberal constitutional crises. John Rawls’s theory of overlapping consensus in Political Liberalism tries to solve these political conflictions emerged in liberal constitutions by prioritizing public reason. This article conceptionally aims to examine Rawls’s theory with regard to abortion discussions. In order to extend the universe of the discussion, some important thinkers such as Immanuel Kant, Isaiah Berlin and John Gray who have related studies on the topic were included. In conclusion, it is asserted that Rawl’s theory is weak both practically and theoretically as to the principle of utilitarianism violtes the rights of communitarians.