Abortion and Unborn Human Life (Paperback)

~ (Author) "The position examined in this chapter could be called "the no-person argument..." (more)
Key Phrases: nonintentional killing, irreparable cessation, maternal molecules, New York, Germain Grisez, Joseph Boyle (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Readers looking for a succinct and narrowly defined philosophical argument against abortion will find this book appealing. Lee expresses the philosophical case against abortion in a simple syllogism on the first page of the book, then asserts that there are only three ways to challenge the argument enshrined in that syllogism. The book consists of extended arguments against each of those three ways. 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. Steve Schroeder --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Lee is an expert guide through the maze of a sharply contested debate-one with chilling implications for our society. -- Prof. James G. Hanink, Loyola Marymount University

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Catholic University of America Press (April 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813208467
• ISBN-13: 978-0813208466
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #816,668 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent defense of the pro-life position., April 20, 1999

By	DEAN STRETTON (Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"Abortion and Unborn Human Life" is quite simply one of the best philosophical defenses of the pro-life position. The book is impressive in its clarity, its complete avoidance of emotional rhetoric, and Lee's willingness to address the most sophisticated pro-choice arguments.

Lee's book will be welcomed mainly by those who are interested in the _philosophical_ issues behind the abortion debate. There are no slogans, no sound-bites, no pictures of thumb-sucking foetuses here -- merely calm, rational argumentation. This is a refreshing change, and it is precisely what the abortion debate generally lacks.

As a pro-choicer, I do think Lee's arguments are flawed. His arguments in favour of foetal personhood are particularly tendentious. Nevertheless, the book presents a formidable challenge to the pro-choice position, and interested parties owe it to themselves to read it.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars thorough defense of the pro-life position, March 21, 2002

By	Scott M. Sullivan (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Dr Lee offers devastating criticism of the pro-choice position on abortion. The reviewer below is a sad and tragic example of the poor argumentation that is offered for being pro-choice. While acknowledging that the unborn is a human person, still she calls this person a "parasite", the same chilling term the Nazi propaganda film "The Eternal Jew" used to describe the Jewish population.

One can only wonder how well this reviewer below read Dr. Lee's book, as he discusses abortion in the context of the life of the mother and sees it as justifiable in a sense of non-intentional taking of life based on a principle of double effect.

Additionally, Dr Lee's points would do well to show these sorts of arguments below could be also used to justify infanticide, as all children rely on their parents bodies for "life-support" whether it be through breast feeding, the administering of medicine, etc. Child support laws force parents to make use of their bodies (like go to work and pay money) in ways the dead beat parent may not wish.

Dr Lee does a fine job here of not only refuting this sort of emotional "run of the mill" argument below, but also the more sophisticated philosophical and scientific points brought forward by the pro-choice crowd. Included is a critique of the moral theory known as "consequentialism", a rebuttal of the famous "violinist argument", and a host of other very useful information.

This is one of the top books on the market regarding presenting a persuasive rational argument for the prolife view.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, February 10, 2006

By	Patrick T. - See all my reviews

I have read a number of books on the abortion issue (both pro/con), and this is certainly one of the best philosophical defenses of the pro-life position. Be warned: if you're looking for partisan ranting or emotional appeals--i.e. abortion is wrong because liberals are evil people, or because God said so, or because babies are cute--this is not that book. Purely philosophical. Well thought out, well written. Anyone wishing to discuss this issue beyond simple slogans should read this book. Highly recommended.