More than one Christian perspective is included in this book, which is fortunate. Too often, Christianity is depicted as inherently opposed to choice in matters like abortion — this section, then, can help dispel some prejudices. For example, Daniel C. Maguire, a Catholic theologian, specifically tackles the moral complexity of abortion and the difficulties facing women who find themselves considering their options. He rejects the temptation to go with easy religious answers:
- “Pro-life? Pro-choice? How vacuous the slogans seemed in the fact of this living dilemma. What life options were open to this woman? Only at the expense of her emotional well-being could a reasonably formed fetus come to term. This woman had driven a long distance that morning to get to the clinic and she would have to return home alone afterward. She had to walk to the door past demonstrators showing her pictures of fully formed fetuses and begging her “Don’t kill your baby! Don’t do it.” However well-intentioned they may be, in what meaningful moral sense were those picketers in this instance pro-life?”
The final section covers philosophy and abortion. In addition to legal and religious questions, there are fundamental philosophical issues which abortion raises — questions dealing with the nature of personhood, the nature of ethical obligations and the manner in which we treat other human beings. Included with this group is the famous essay from Judith Jarvis Thomson which argues that even if a fetus qualifies as a person, abortion should still be legal and can still be regarded as a morally justified choice; yet there is also a response to that essay, demonstrating that it doesn’t end the debate once and for all.
All in all, this collection of essays should have a place on the shelf of anyone who takes an interest in the social, legal and religious debates over abortion. Unlike the many other volumes on the topic, here you will read about the debate in the words of those who are fully engaged in it. Through these readings, you can gain a deeper appreciation of the motives and perspectives of all involved.
The Ethics of Abortion: Pro-Life Vs. Pro-Choice, edited by Robert M. Baird and Stuart E. Rosenbaum
The one thing missing, perhaps, other than the perspective of religions besides Christianity is that of the extreme anti-abortion fringe. Material from those who support or advocate violence — including murder — in order to combat abortion along with responses from those who prefer peaceful protest would be a valuable addition for a future revision.
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