Abortion and Unborn Human Life

by Patrick Lee

Is it ever morally right to procure an abortion, to help procure one, or to perform one? Patrick Lee surveys the main philosophical arguments in favor of the moral permissibility of abortion and refutes them point by point. In a calm and philosophically sophisticated manner, he presents a powerful case for the pro-life position and a serious challenge to all of the main philosophical arguments on behalf of the pro-choice position. Lee's method is strictly philosophical, with special attention given to authors in the broadly analytical school of thought. He contends that what is killed in abortion is indeed an individual human being. Attempts to argue otherwise are carefully presented and criticized, as are other attempts to justify abortion morally. Since 1996 when the first edition of Abortion and Unborn Human Life appeared, the debate about the morality of abortion has not subsided. From the standpoint of philosophy many issues have become clearer. Accordingly, Patrick Lee confirms his position that unborn human beings have an equal and inherent dignity and are subjects of basic rights from the moment of fertilization. In this second edition, Lee provides significant updates in view of recent developments. Among the developments have been an added precision required for the argument against the gradualist position, the position that a human being only gradually comes to be; significant developments in embryology strengthening the case that at fertilization a new human individual comes to be; and further refinements to the argument that some abortions are non-intentional killing. Lee argues that what is at stake in this debate about how to treat unborn human beings is whether we will or will not recognize the fundamental equal dignity possessed by every human being, simply by virtue of being the kind of being he or she is. ABOUT THE Patrick Lee holds the John N. and Jamie D. McAleer Chair of Bioethics and is the director of the Institute of Bioethics at Franciscan University Steubenville. He is known nationally as a keynote speaker and author of contemporary ethics, especially on controversies regarding human life and marriage. Lee is the coauthor of Body-Self Dualism in Contemporary Ethics and Politics, and the author of numerous published articles. PRAISE FOR THE FIRST "Readers looking for a succinct and narrowly defined philosophical argument against abortion will find this book appealing. It is useful as a review of the past several decades of philosophical debate on abortion, and it may help readers understand how lines get drawn in such philosophical debate."― Booklist "A very good book on the abortion question. Lee's methods are rigorous and exact, his writing accessibly clear. This book is, therefore, an especially welcome contribution to a field of enquiry in which these two qualities are rarely found in combination."―Kevin L. Flannery, S.J., Gregorianum

Genres: Philosophy

177 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1996

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Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abortion and Unborn Human Life is a philosophical Defense of the pro-life position. There are no stories of screaming fetus or bloody pictures in this book. Rather, the author uses philosophical arguments, with reference to philosophers like Plato and Kant, to put across the view that abortion is morally wrong. Somewhat dry and difficult reading for people who are not philosophy majors, but overall a good intellectual study of the issues surrounding abortion.

[Liz Gilday · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good book. I agree with all the points the author makes, however it's written in a philosophical format which was, at times, hard to follow and understand. The author also quotes many philosophers and formats his books in a similar way. If philosophy is up your alley and that's how you like to read, then I highly recommend this book! However, if you're looking for a book explaining the pro-life side of abortion and find it difficult to understand philosophical talk, then I suggest these other books instead:

- 'Why Pro-Life?' by Randy Alcorn (science and analogies relating to abortion)
- 'Pro-Life Answers to Pro-Choice Arguments' by Randy Alcorn (if you want to see what the pro-life side has to say about a certain pro-choice point)
- 'Blood Money' by Carol Everett (see the side of an ex-abortion doctor and the truth about what goes on in an abortion clinic)

Hope this helps!

[MIGUEL ALTAMIRANO Q · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente

Recomendado para tener más herramientas argumentativas. Filosófico pero accesible. Se debe leer con calma. Este y el libro de Trent Horn son dupla útil en la lucha por el no nacido.