32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating, but a little misleading, May 2, 2004
This review is from: Three Approaches to Abortion: A Thoughtful and Compassionate Guide to Today's Most Controversial Issue (Paperback)
If there were a Peter Kreeft fan club, I'd be the president. Kreeft, a Catholic professor of philosophy at Boston College, has a brilliant command of logic. And he makes it accessible to the average reader.
"Three Approaches to Abortion" is divided into three parts. The first is Kreeft's main argument, his "Apple Argument Against Abortion" which argues in 15 steps from the premise that "we know what an apple is" to the conclusion that "abortion must be outlawed." The second section is an essay by Kreeft describing 15 motivations behind the pro-life movement. The third section is a delightful (imaginary) dialogue between a pro-lifer and a pro-choicer. In it, Kreeft refutes the 15 most common pro-choice arguments.
There is no doubt that "Three Approaches to Abortion" is a great read and a welcome contribution to the pro-life cause. Kreeft portrays the book as "thoughtful and compassionate" and says right in the preface that the book is meant to be read by pro-choicers.
I found in this book an abundance of thoughtfulness but, unfortunately, a lack of compassion. He makes great points throughout the book -- inspiring many "Eureka!" moments in me -- but I think he lets his moral disgust with abortion get the best of him.
Particularly in section 2 (which he admittedly calls a "pro-life motivational map") as well as in a brief "historical postscript" to section 1, Kreeft's logical arguments give way to polemical attacks against the "culture of death." Which I totally agree with! My only problem is that they'd probably serve to offend any pro-choicers and confuse any atheists who may read the book.
It's unfortunate, because Kreeft is a great, great writer and philosopher. If you're pro-life, don't miss "Three Approaches to Abortion"! If you're pro-choice, buy the book and skip section 2.
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34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Arguments for Life, February 13, 2003
This review is from: Three Approaches to Abortion: A Thoughtful and Compassionate Guide to Today's Most Controversial Issue (Paperback)
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 them
If 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, witty and intellectually cogent, the argument made provides much useful information to the pro-life side.
The overall effect of these three sections is a strongly and tightly argued case for the protection of unborn life, and a refutation of many of the pro-abortion positions. While the book is written for people in both camps, one assumes it will mainly be read by like-minded thinkers. However, those on the other side who want to approach the issue with an open mind will find much to think about here, and perhaps even a few may find themselves changing their minds.
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30 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An intellectual war on abortion!, December 23, 2002
This review is from: Three Approaches to Abortion: A Thoughtful and Compassionate Guide to Today's Most Controversial Issue (Paperback)
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.
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