---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Science can and should inform debate…"
description: "\"Science can and should inform debate about abortion and the law. But science does not resolve questions of moral value and moral choice.\" — Blase J. Cu..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/165/blase-j-cupich-6316_abortion_science-can-and-should-inform-debate-abo_295258.jpg"
---

#  Science can and should inform debate about abortion and…

![“Science can and should inform debate about abortion and the law. But science does not resolve questions of moral value and moral choice.” quote by Blase J. Cupich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/165/blase-j-cupich-6316_abortion_science-can-and-should-inform-debate-abo_295258.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/165/blase-j-cupich-6316_abortion_science-can-and-should-inform-debate-abo_295258.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/165/blase-j-cupich-6316_abortion_science-can-and-should-inform-debate-abo_295258.jpg)

> “Science can and should inform debate about abortion and the law. But science does not resolve questions of moral value and moral choice.”

[Blase J. Cupich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blase-j-cupich/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Science informs facts about abortion, but moral judgments remain outside its scope.

**In simple terms:** Science provides data, not moral answers.

Key Takeaway

Combine scientific insight with ethical reflection.

Themes

science ethics law abortion

Mood

thoughtful balanced

Type

ethical legal

When to use this quote

- legislative debates
- medical counseling
- public forums

Key Concepts

empiricism moral philosophy

Questions to Reflect On

- How should law incorporate both science and ethics?
- What role do personal beliefs play in policy?

A Different Perspective

Relying solely on science may ignore personal values.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Abortion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abortion/) [Debate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/debate/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Value](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/value/)

## Related quotes

> [First law of science: Don't spit into the wind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danialla-and-her-bff/first-law-of-science-don-t-spit-into-the-wind/)

DaniAlla And Her BFF

> [While the political debate over abortion will continue for a very long time, the federal government can and should be doing more to support…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-ryan/while-the-political-debate-over-abortion-will-continue-for-a-very/)

[Tim Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-ryan/)

> [“Throughout our history, humanity has been plagued with questions, and also plagued with regular plagues. I don't know much about biology, so I can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-mirman/throughout-our-history-humanity-has-been-plagued-with-questions-and/)

[Eugene Mirman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-mirman/)

> [G.E. doesn't pay any taxes, and we are asking college kids to take on even more debt to get an education and asking seniors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-warren/g-e-doesn-t-pay-any-taxes-and-we-are-asking-college-kids-to-take-on/)

[Elizabeth Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-warren/)

> [“Does any man have the right to dispose of his own life? This is the ultimate question of moral entitlement, and relevant only if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonella-gambotto-burke/does-any-man-have-the-right-to-dispose-of-his-own-life-this-is-the/)

[Antonella Gambotto-Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonella-gambotto-burke/)

> [“It is a regrettable fact that no government can ever be fully trusted to make the truly right choice when confronted by an impossible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-swallow/it-is-a-regrettable-fact-that-no-government-can-ever-be-fully-trusted/)

[James Swallow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-swallow/)

> [“The fact that it has nothing else to contribute to human wisdom is no reason to hand religion a free licence to tell us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/the-fact-that-it-has-nothing-else-to-contribute-to-human-wisdom-is-no/)

[Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/)

> [Being an atheist is a matter not of moral choice, but of human obligation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fowles/being-an-atheist-is-a-matter-not-of-moral-choice-but-of-human/)

[John Fowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fowles/)

> [President Obama was right to ban torture, but the public must understand that this decision carries a potential cost in lost information. That's what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ignatius/president-obama-was-right-to-ban-torture-but-the-public-must/)

[David Ignatius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ignatius/)

> [I'm always fascinated by people when they reach that fork in the road, where they can make a moral choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-hammond/i-m-always-fascinated-by-people-when-they-reach-that-fork-in-the-road/)

[Nicholas Hammond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-hammond/)

> [“As well as being tailored to the circumstances of the recipient, charity allows the donor to make a moral choice. There is virtue in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-hannan/as-well-as-being-tailored-to-the-circumstances-of-the-recipient/)

[Daniel Hannan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-hannan/)

> [Consumers have not been told effectively enough that they have huge power and that purchasing and shopping involve a moral choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anita-roddick/consumers-have-not-been-told-effectively-enough-that-they-have-huge/)

[Anita Roddick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anita-roddick/)

> [“By definition, a human being is endowed with free will. He can use this to choose between good and evil. If he can only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-burgess/by-definition-a-human-being-is-endowed-with-free-will-he-can-use-this/)

[Anthony Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-burgess/)

> [The important thing is moral choice. Evil has to exist along with good, in order that moral choice may operate. Life is sustained by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-burgess/the-important-thing-is-moral-choice-evil-has-to-exist-along-with-good/)

[Anthony Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-burgess/)

> [All too often arrogance accompanies strength, and we must never assume that justice is on the side of the strong. The use of power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-bikel/all-too-often-arrogance-accompanies-strength-and-we-must-never-assume/)

[Theodore Bikel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-bikel/)

## More by Blase J. Cupich

> [There is a synergy between the way Croatians approach life and the way Jesuits do. Croatians are very real about situations. We don't gloss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blase-j-cupich/there-is-a-synergy-between-the-way-croatians-approach-life-and-the/)

[Blase J. Cupich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blase-j-cupich/)

> [Chicago is highly segregated, a fact that both causes and compounds the problems we face in bringing an end to violence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blase-j-cupich/chicago-is-highly-segregated-a-fact-that-both-causes-and-compounds/)

[Blase J. Cupich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blase-j-cupich/)

> [We have always wanted to make sure that we start the conversation by saying that all people are of value and their lives should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blase-j-cupich/we-have-always-wanted-to-make-sure-that-we-start-the-conversation-by/)

[Blase J. Cupich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blase-j-cupich/)

> [People are looking for a way in which their spiritual life can be deepened. They are finding it in some of our Catholic parishes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blase-j-cupich/people-are-looking-for-a-way-in-which-their-spiritual-life-can-be/)

[Blase J. Cupich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blase-j-cupich/)

> [Let's face it: grandparents are very important to family systems. You're babysitters, but you also instill values in children that sometimes skip a generation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blase-j-cupich/let-s-face-it-grandparents-are-very-important-to-family-systems-you/)

[Blase J. Cupich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blase-j-cupich/)

> [Once a bishop is appointed, in terms of governance, we are semi-autonomous. It's not like we are branch managers of a bank or something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blase-j-cupich/once-a-bishop-is-appointed-in-terms-of-governance-we-are-semi/)

[Blase J. Cupich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blase-j-cupich/)

> [Voting for a candidate solely because of that candidate's support for abortion or against him or her solely on the basis of his or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blase-j-cupich/voting-for-a-candidate-solely-because-of-that-candidate-s-support-for/)

[Blase J. Cupich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blase-j-cupich/)

> [For generations, our political life was distorted by the influence of public officials whose foremost goal was to preserve the essence, if not the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blase-j-cupich/for-generations-our-political-life-was-distorted-by-the-influence-of/)

[Blase J. Cupich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blase-j-cupich/)

> [I did my doctoral dissertation on the lectionary readings that we use at mass and how you have biblical texts that have been taken…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blase-j-cupich/i-did-my-doctoral-dissertation-on-the-lectionary-readings-that-we-use/)

[Blase J. Cupich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blase-j-cupich/)

> [We help immigrants because we are an immigrant nation, and we are an immigrant church. We've always done that; this is nothing new to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blase-j-cupich/we-help-immigrants-because-we-are-an-immigrant-nation-and-we-are-an/)

[Blase J. Cupich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blase-j-cupich/)

> [I think that the Pope has trust in every bishop that is appointed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blase-j-cupich/i-think-that-the-pope-has-trust-in-every-bishop-that-is-appointed/)

[Blase J. Cupich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blase-j-cupich/)

> [Our schools must be places where all are respected and the values of tolerance and peacemaking are taught and nurtured.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blase-j-cupich/our-schools-must-be-places-where-all-are-respected-and-the-values-of/)

[Blase J. Cupich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blase-j-cupich/)

> [In the 40 years that I've been a priest and the 17 as a bishop, I have experienced people coming at things in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blase-j-cupich/in-the-40-years-that-i-ve-been-a-priest-and-the-17-as-a-bishop-i-have/)

[Blase J. Cupich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blase-j-cupich/)

> [People should be called the way that they want to be called rather than us coming up with terms that maybe we're more comfortable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blase-j-cupich/people-should-be-called-the-way-that-they-want-to-be-called-rather/)

[Blase J. Cupich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blase-j-cupich/)

> [I commend the parents who are sending their children to a Catholic school, because they're making a sacrifice, and they're paying twice for their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blase-j-cupich/i-commend-the-parents-who-are-sending-their-children-to-a-catholic/)

[Blase J. Cupich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blase-j-cupich/)

[Explore all 99 Blase J. Cupich quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blase-j-cupich/)

## More Abortion quotes

> [“Conception is the beginning of human life. From the time that an ovum is fertilized a new life begins that is neither that of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/declaration-on-procured-abortion-congregation-for-the-doctrine-of-the-faith-1974/conception-is-the-beginning-of-human-life-from-the-time-that-an-ovum/)

Declaration on Procured Abortion Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith 1974

> [Hey everyone, in case y'all didn't hear, I'm pregnat, and after discussing it w/ my family, I've decided to get an abortion, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madison-badesheim/hey-everyone-in-case-y-all-didn-t-hear-i-m-pregnat-and-after/)

Madison Badesheim

> [There was no mistake in us making abortion legal and available on demand. That was what we call progress. Just like it was no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ruffalo/there-was-no-mistake-in-us-making-abortion-legal-and-available-on/)

[Mark Ruffalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ruffalo/)

> [My favorite Founding Fathers, Christians like John Adams, were absolutely appalled by slavery, and did not own slaves. I think we're going to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-coulter/my-favorite-founding-fathers-christians-like-john-adams-were/)

[Ann Coulter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-coulter/)

> [“David Bereit, Founder of Forty Days for Life, points out that any abortion clinic in America should have a sign in its window that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-price/david-bereit-founder-of-forty-days-for-life-points-out-that-any/)

[John Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-price/)

> [The Chinese describe themselves as political refugees. Many base that claim on China's strict population laws, which allow them to have only one child.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-koch/the-chinese-describe-themselves-as-political-refugees-many-base-that/)

[Ed Koch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-koch/)

> [I'm a pro-life candidate because I believe that science is proving us right every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carly-fiorina/i-m-a-pro-life-candidate-because-i-believe-that-science-is-proving-us/)

[Carly Fiorina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carly-fiorina/)

> [I've noticed that everyone who is for abortion…has been born.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/i-ve-noticed-that-everyone-who-is-for-abortion-has-been-born/)

[Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/)

> [We talk a lot about how abortion is a medical procedure, but actually if you look at what the other side is doing, they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-northup/we-talk-a-lot-about-how-abortion-is-a-medical-procedure-but-actually/)

[Nancy Northup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-northup/)

> [“The Vatican won't prosecute pedophile priests but I decide I'm not ready for motherhood and it's condemnation for me? These are the same people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-renee-taylor/the-vatican-won-t-prosecute-pedophile-priests-but-i-decide-i-m-not/)

Sonya Renee Taylor

> [Pro-lifers have long been castigated for bringing private values into the public square. But actually it is the pro-abortion position that is based on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pearcey/pro-lifers-have-long-been-castigated-for-bringing-private-values-into/)

[Nancy Pearcey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pearcey/)

> [I am 100 percent pro-life and have been my whole life. That means I am opposed to abortion at any stage of pregnancy, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-hawley/i-am-100-percent-pro-life-and-have-been-my-whole-life-that-means-i-am/)

[Josh Hawley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-hawley/)

> [Any woman should have the right to a safe and legal abortion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-ford/any-woman-should-have-the-right-to-a-safe-and-legal-abortion/)

[Betty Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-ford/)

> [“For Republicans, life begins at conception but ends at birth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-adam-snyder/for-republicans-life-begins-at-conception-but-ends-at-birth/)

[J.Adam Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-adam-snyder/)

> [I think fundamentally, the real power behind the anti-choice movement in regard to abortion and the opposition to the rights of LGBT Americans is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-w-lynn/i-think-fundamentally-the-real-power-behind-the-anti-choice-movement/)

[Barry W. Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-w-lynn/)

[Browse all 1,629 Abortion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abortion/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Science can and should inform debate about abortion and the law. But science does not resolve questions of moral value and moral choice.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Blase J. Cupich"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blase-j-cupich/science-can-and-should-inform-debate-about-abortion-and-the-law-but/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Abortion"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blase-j-cupich/science-can-and-should-inform-debate-about-abortion-and-the-law-but/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/165/blase-j-cupich-6316_abortion_science-can-and-should-inform-debate-abo_295258.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/165/blase-j-cupich-6316_abortion_science-can-and-should-inform-debate-abo_295258.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/165/blase-j-cupich-6316_abortion_science-can-and-should-inform-debate-abo_295258.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Science can and should inform debate about abortion and the law. But science does not resolve questions of…” — Blase J. Cupich",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Blase J. Cupich",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blase-j-cupich/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Science can and should inform debate...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blase-j-cupich/science-can-and-should-inform-debate-about-abortion-and-the-law-but/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blase-j-cupich/science-can-and-should-inform-debate-about-abortion-and-the-law-but/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
