Becoming a Pro-Life Thinker
Making a Case for Life Becoming a Pro-Life Thinker Gerard A. Figurelli (SES 2005)
“If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge, then one must exert more strength; however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success.” –Solomon (Eccl. 10:10)
The One Issue “If the unborn is not a human person, no justification for abortion is necessary. However, if the unborn is a human person, no justification is adequate.” Greg Koukl
http://www.str.org/quickthoughts/abortion-one-key-issue#.ViZapxCrTR0
The One Issue
Is the unborn a fullfledged member of the human family?
Argument Against Abortion It is wrong to intentionally kill an innocent human being Abortion intentionally kills an innocent human being Therefore, abortion is wrong
Becoming a Pro-Life Thinker I. Thinking Scientifically II. Thinking Philosophically III. Thinking Critically
I. Thinking Scientifically
What is the biological status of the unborn?
10 weeks
I. Thinking Scientifically you didn’t come from a zygote or an embryo you once were a zygote and an embryo (and fetus, infant, toddler, teenager, etc)
8 weeks
II. Thinking Philosophically What is the moral status of the unborn? Is the unborn a fullfledged member of the human family?
Are all humans persons? functionalist view some humans are not persons
human beings human persons
essentialist view
Construction vs. Development
living things
artifacts
What’s the Difference?
II. Thinking Philosophically Four differences between unborn and born humans: Size Level of Development Environment Degree of Dependency SLED test developed by Stephen Schwartz, source: Defending Life, 159ff.
III. Thinking Critically #1 “If abortion is made illegal, women will be forced back into dangerous, back-alley abortions.”
III. Thinking Critically #2
“It is wrong to force your morality on others.”
III. Thinking Critically #3
“Men have no say so in the matter.”
III. Thinking Critically #4 “It’s my body! I can do what I want with it.”
III. Thinking Critically #5 “Abortion must remain legal because of rape and incest.”
III. Thinking Critically #6 “Abortion must be legal or unwanted children will be abused.”
III. Thinking Critically #7
“Abortion must be legal because of birth defects.”
III. Thinking Critically #8 “Don’t like abortion? Don’t have one.”
III. Thinking Critically #9 “Unless you’re willing to adopt all the unwanted babies, then just be quiet.”
III. Thinking Critically #10 “Abortion must be available here so that poor women can afford what only rich women used to be able to afford.”
III. Thinking Critically #11 “Abortion must be legal because of overpopulation and burdens upon our welfare system.”
III. Thinking Critically #12 “If Christians believe all babies go to heaven, then Christians should be in favor of abortion.”
III. Thinking Critically #13 “Laws against abortion would not stop all abortions anyway.”
#14 “How is a woman to commit herself to a career unless she has abortion to fall back on?”
III. Thinking Critically #15 “People disagree about this matter so we just need to tolerate different viewpoints.”
#16 “Abortion is a private matter between a woman and her doctor.”
III. Thinking Critically #17 “I’m personally opposed to abortion, but I wouldn’t force my personal morality on anyone else.”
#18 “You should be against capital punishment then.”
“If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge, then one must exert more strength; however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success.” –Solomon (Eccl. 10:10)
The One Issue “If the unborn is not a human person, no justification for abortion is necessary. However, if the unborn is a human person, no justification is adequate.” Greg Koukl
http://www.str.org/quickthoughts/abortion-one-key-issue#.ViZapxCrTR0
The One Issue
Is the unborn a fullfledged member of the human family?
Argument Against Abortion It is wrong to intentionally kill an innocent human being Abortion intentionally kills an innocent human being Therefore, abortion is wrong
Becoming a Pro-Life Thinker I. Thinking Scientifically II. Thinking Philosophically III. Thinking Critically
I. Thinking Scientifically
What is the biological status of the unborn?
10 weeks
I. Thinking Scientifically you didn’t come from a zygote or an embryo you once were a zygote and an embryo (and fetus, infant, toddler, teenager, etc)
8 weeks
II. Thinking Philosophically What is the moral status of the unborn? Is the unborn a fullfledged member of the human family?
Are all humans persons? functionalist view some humans are not persons
human beings human persons
essentialist view
Construction vs. Development
living things
artifacts
What’s the Difference?
II. Thinking Philosophically Four differences between unborn and born humans: Size Level of Development Environment Degree of Dependency SLED test developed by Stephen Schwartz, source: Defending Life, 159ff.
III. Thinking Critically #1 “If abortion is made illegal, women will be forced back into dangerous, back-alley abortions.”
III. Thinking Critically #2
“It is wrong to force your morality on others.”
III. Thinking Critically #3
“Men have no say so in the matter.”
III. Thinking Critically #4 “It’s my body! I can do what I want with it.”
III. Thinking Critically #5 “Abortion must remain legal because of rape and incest.”
III. Thinking Critically #6 “Abortion must be legal or unwanted children will be abused.”
III. Thinking Critically #7
“Abortion must be legal because of birth defects.”
III. Thinking Critically #8 “Don’t like abortion? Don’t have one.”
III. Thinking Critically #9 “Unless you’re willing to adopt all the unwanted babies, then just be quiet.”
III. Thinking Critically #10 “Abortion must be available here so that poor women can afford what only rich women used to be able to afford.”
III. Thinking Critically #11 “Abortion must be legal because of overpopulation and burdens upon our welfare system.”
III. Thinking Critically #12 “If Christians believe all babies go to heaven, then Christians should be in favor of abortion.”
III. Thinking Critically #13 “Laws against abortion would not stop all abortions anyway.”
#14 “How is a woman to commit herself to a career unless she has abortion to fall back on?”
III. Thinking Critically #15 “People disagree about this matter so we just need to tolerate different viewpoints.”
#16 “Abortion is a private matter between a woman and her doctor.”
III. Thinking Critically #17 “I’m personally opposed to abortion, but I wouldn’t force my personal morality on anyone else.”
#18 “You should be against capital punishment then.”
