Logical Argument Against Abortion

In 2003, I visited Dachau, a Nazi camp where they worked, exterminated, and medically experimented on innocent Jewish men, women and children. I remember wondering how it was possible that the Germans that lived merely yards beyond the prison wall could stand idly by when these atrocities where happening several feet from where their children played. I then journaled that I would not stand idly by while our Country kills innocent children by the millions. Since then, Sarah and I have given our time, energy and resources to protect innocent lives in the womb.

Interestingly, conviction came to the Germans when they saw photographs of the piles of bodies in ditches. Many convulsed and threw up and many wished they would have defended the rights of the innocent people (see end scene of Shindler's list).

The discipline of Philosophy has helped me greatly when confronted with thorny and complex issues like abortion. This post is to help frame the debate to help facilitate productive conversation. The philosophical and moral argument against abortion that is the basis for pro-lifers ban on abortion is as follows:

1. Intentionally killing an innocent person is always morally wrong.

2. Abortion is the intentional killing of an innocent person.

3. Therefore, abortion is always morally wrong.

The pro-life position is that there are no morally significant differences between killing your 2-year old and a fetus (who at 10 weeks has a beating heart, complete brain, cries, and sucks thumb). See Patrick Lee, "Abortion and Unborn Life"

When conversing, ask yourself which premise you take issue with and lay out thoughtful reasons why. Hopefully this framework will guide the discussion for a productive debate on this most important (but complex) issue of our time.