Three Approaches to Abortion: A Thoughtful and Compassionate Guide to Today's Most Controversial Issue

Peter Kreeft, as usual, writes concisely, clearly and informatively. Though the subtitle is a little misleading - a thoughtful guide to abortion, yes; a compassionate guide to abortion; not so much. Kreeft isn't all that compassionate towards pro-choicers (there are more than a few zingers and sarcastic comments), but one could argue that his compassion is directed towards all the murdered babies. Part I lists 15 steps that logically lead to a pro-life stance. It's helpful for getting your own logic straight on the subject, though not something you would use if you were debating. Also in Part I is a "Historical Postcript." It also includes some brief history on abortion and Planned Parenthood which has some very disturbing facts. Buying the book is worth it just for these 10 amazing pages. Part II lists 15 motives for pro-life work. It's helpful for understanding some of your own motives, or understanding other pro-lifers. Part III is a dialogue between a pro-lifer and pro-choicer, and here is where things get particularly hairy. It seems neither side can be civil for too long in the debate and compassion goes right out the window. But it's interesting to see how Kreeft seamlessly includes all his previous arguments and points into the mock debate. Though certainly not a guidebook for debating the issue of abortion, it is very informative and Kreeft makes a lot of good points, especially on issues like: - is the fetus a person or a potential person? - does the fetus have a soul? - what's the difference between abortion and infanticide? - are pro-lifers being intolerant and forcing their beliefs on others? If you want to know more on how to talk about abortion, it's well worth the investment.

Do you know what an apple is? If so, then you are against abortion. The book fills in the details in fourteen steps. Kreeft has a gift for wit, wisdom, logical swordplay, and the ability to make learning fun. This is a book that you can read in two hours, but will leave you thinking for life.

Once again, Kreeft delivers coherent, logical, and pertinent arguments for those seeking a deeper understanding of the battle for life. I read this and then passed it along to my 21 year old daughter. I believe it helped both of us. Another wonderful gift from a modern day master!

This is not the first book the well-known and prolific American philosopher has written on the subject of abortion. In 1983 he wrote The Unaborted Socrates: A Dramatic Debate on the Issues Surrounding Abortion (Inter-varsity Press). Indeed, abortion featured partially in other works, such as A Refutation of Moral Relativism: Interviews With an Absolutist (Ignatius Press, 1999).But as Kreeft says, abortion continues to be "the most divisive public issue of our time". Thus another look at the subject is in order.This volume, as the title indicates, is divided into three main sections. The first offers a philosophical argument against abortion. The second affirms pro-lifers as to why the debate is important and why they must continue in the battle. The third deals with objections from the pro-abortion side.Part one of this book makes the philosophical case against abortion. Philosophical argumentation can be quite technical and convoluted, involving multiple steps, seeking the validity of an argument or the soundness of a premise. And Kreeft is a philosopher. But most people are not. Thus it is the task of Kreeft to take relatively complex concepts in logic and philosophy and make them understandable to the common reader. This he does quite well.Generally any philosophical argument takes some amount of time to elaborate. Kreeft's 15 points take some 30 pages to unfold. But the are easy to understand and flow easily one to the other. Professional philosophers may demure, saying the argument is too simplistic, makes too many assumptions, or is not carefully nuanced enough. Possibly, yes. But Kreeft does seek to cover all the bases, and he deliberately has chosen not to go down the technical path.The fifteen steps perhaps can be boiled down to several propositions:-human rights are based on the condition of human reality (the nature of who we are)-morality is based on higher law, or metaphysics-metaphysics, not might, should determine morality-morality (rights) should extend to all persons, not just some-if we are unsure if the unborn are persons, then we should not abort themIf that does not seem like much of an argument, read the 30 pages and see how he carefully weaves his case together.Part two of the book is meant to rally the troops to not give up on this vital issue. It makes clear why the debate is so important, and how it in many ways impacts of so many other crucial issues. Many areas, such as family, society, sexuality, human meaning and purpose, and even human survival, are impacted by the way we think about, and legislate on, abortion. If we give up on defending the rights of the unborn, we have given way a huge amount of moral ground. To surrender here opens up all kinds of other abuses of human rights.Part three of the book takes on many of the common objections raised by the pro-abortion camp. It comes in the form of a dialogue between Kreeft and an opponent, a format Kreeft has successfully used in many of his earlier books. Engaging,

Kreeft believes that ideas really are powerful things and he certainly proves it in this book. By using logic and with a firm grasp on language Kreeft molds an argument stronger than most others against abortion. In fact, he is still waiting for someone to refute his "apple" argument.If you want to find the logical basis of opposition to abortion, then you will find none better than within these pages. Kreeft is a masterful apologist and proves without a doubt that abortion is the greatest evil mankind has ever thrust upon itself...so far.