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Three Approaches to Abortion
Three Approaches to Abortion will help you persuade others—including “pro-choice Catholics” that abortion is an evil society we cannot permit or tolerate. Abortion has been and remains a crucial issue in American politics. Unfortunately, many Americans don’t see abortion for the evil it is—the unjust killing of millions of human beings each year. Even many Catholics have been confused by the “pro-choice” ( pro-abortion) rhetoric of those who say that they personally accept Catholic teaching about abortion, but they can’t impose it on others.
You’ve heard argument after argument about this topic. Maybe you think there is nothing more to say.
Well, there is.
Three Approaches to Abortion, by popular author Peter Kreeft, cuts through the nonsense of the “pro-choice” position. He shows in an irrefutable way why abortion is evil and why it’s illogical to support abortion rights while claiming to be “personally opposed to abortion.” Kreeft’s commonsense approach to the issue, his lucid arguments, easy-to-grasp illustrations and examples, and his thoughtful dialogue between a pro-lifer and a “pro-choicer” make this book an invaluable tool in the pro-life cause.
You’ve heard argument after argument about this topic. Maybe you think there is nothing more to say.
Well, there is.
Three Approaches to Abortion, by popular author Peter Kreeft, cuts through the nonsense of the “pro-choice” position. He shows in an irrefutable way why abortion is evil and why it’s illogical to support abortion rights while claiming to be “personally opposed to abortion.” Kreeft’s commonsense approach to the issue, his lucid arguments, easy-to-grasp illustrations and examples, and his thoughtful dialogue between a pro-lifer and a “pro-choicer” make this book an invaluable tool in the pro-life cause.
101 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2002
10 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
About the author
Peter Kreeft
201 books1,085 followersPeter Kreeft is an American philosopher and prolific author of over eighty books on Christian theology, philosophy, and apologetics. A convert from Protestantism to Catholicism, his journey was shaped by his study of Church history, Gothic architecture, and Thomistic thought. He earned his BA from Calvin College, an MA and PhD from Fordham University, and pursued further studies at Yale. Since 1965, he has taught philosophy at Boston College and also at The King’s College. Kreeft is known for formulating “Twenty Arguments for the Existence of God” with Ronald K. Tacelli, featured in their Handbook of Christian Apologetics. A strong advocate for unity among Christians, he emphasizes shared belief in Christ over denominational differences.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 22, 2015
I have to really grit my teeth to give this book 3 stars – but two of the three sections were really interesting and it was well-written. The dialogue between the pro-life or prochoicer was illuminating, although I would never argue that way because it seems like the prochoicer would only be angered and not convinced. But what really frustrated me was his statements on how pro-lifers fight for "the family." His statement was: "this is why pro-lifers fight against gay "marriage" because it destroys the family." And of course to him that is a pro-life issue, tied in with and indistinguishable from the belief that abortion kills babies. Notice the quotes around "marriage" It seems obvious to me he would never accept a gay pro-lifer, and probably not an atheist one either, as his arguments were riddled with religion and he manages to attack atheism several times throughout the book. I really hated his assumption that every single pro-lifer opposes gay marriage, which is clearly untrue, and his equating the two, gay marriage with abortion, was very frustrating. I don't believe he would be willing to work alongside someone like me, although maybe I'm wrong. I'm sure he would think that my pro-life stance is an oxymoron and not logically consistent.
I usually keep pro-life books but this one is definitely going in the donate pile.
I usually keep pro-life books but this one is definitely going in the donate pile.
February 3, 2010
Reasoned, honest and compassionate.
July 12, 2014
Excellent book
December 9, 2018
I read this entire book in one afternoon, because it was very interesting, engaging, and readable. The book is excellent for many reasons. It is both philosophically interesting and morally inspiring. It contains both philosophical arguments against abortion and calls to action.
The book is divided into three sections. The first section is a philosophical argument, in fifteen steps, which demonstrates why abortion is morally wrong. The second part is a list of reasons why pro-lifers fight for their cause. It is less philosophical, and more personal and emotional. The third part is a Socratic dialogue which I found particularly interesting, as it covers many fundamental philosophical principles which relate to the abortion debate - principles about the nature of personhood. The diversity of style and presentation makes this a very interesting and engaging read, and is one of the book's greatest merits.
One of my favorite passages from the book was from the second part. It reads:
"Would it not be great to be able to feel moral pride for our country again instead of shame? But what can one little citizen do? There are two options. First, you can just throw up your hands in despair, play the prophet of doom, and say 'I told you so' as you watch this spiritual spider, swollen with the blood of holy innocents, dragging America into the same web into which it dragged the Caananites, the Romans, and the Aztecs. Or you could remember that America is YOUR country, and that it was built by the sacrifices of your ancestors.... When war breaks out between life and death, you do not go AWOL. You choose life. When death conquers great expanses of territory, you do not leave the battlefield. That territory is your territory, and your family's.... The weapons we use are not those of our enemy. We use nonviolent resistance because we fight not to kill but to heal. But we fight.... The battle is a spiritual battle, between the old "sanctity of life ethic", which made America great, and the new "quality of life ethic", which is making Americans dead. Dead physically if your quality-of-life index does not make it, and dead spiritually if you make peace with this killer" (58-59)
On the more philosophical side, I'd like to share another interesting quote, this time from part three. It reads: "We're not equal in IQ, or communication skills or any of those other functions; we're equal only in our essence, our essential humanity, our human nature. So if you discount the notion of 'the nature of things', you have no basis for equality. And then what happens? It becomes naked power, 'might makes right.'" (131).
All in all, if you care about the issue of abortion, you should definitely read this book. If you are pro-choice, it may make you uncomfortable. But it is very logical and thoughtful. If you are pro-life, it will provide you with more than just a philosophical basis for your convictions, it will inspire you to act on them.
The book is divided into three sections. The first section is a philosophical argument, in fifteen steps, which demonstrates why abortion is morally wrong. The second part is a list of reasons why pro-lifers fight for their cause. It is less philosophical, and more personal and emotional. The third part is a Socratic dialogue which I found particularly interesting, as it covers many fundamental philosophical principles which relate to the abortion debate - principles about the nature of personhood. The diversity of style and presentation makes this a very interesting and engaging read, and is one of the book's greatest merits.
One of my favorite passages from the book was from the second part. It reads:
"Would it not be great to be able to feel moral pride for our country again instead of shame? But what can one little citizen do? There are two options. First, you can just throw up your hands in despair, play the prophet of doom, and say 'I told you so' as you watch this spiritual spider, swollen with the blood of holy innocents, dragging America into the same web into which it dragged the Caananites, the Romans, and the Aztecs. Or you could remember that America is YOUR country, and that it was built by the sacrifices of your ancestors.... When war breaks out between life and death, you do not go AWOL. You choose life. When death conquers great expanses of territory, you do not leave the battlefield. That territory is your territory, and your family's.... The weapons we use are not those of our enemy. We use nonviolent resistance because we fight not to kill but to heal. But we fight.... The battle is a spiritual battle, between the old "sanctity of life ethic", which made America great, and the new "quality of life ethic", which is making Americans dead. Dead physically if your quality-of-life index does not make it, and dead spiritually if you make peace with this killer" (58-59)
On the more philosophical side, I'd like to share another interesting quote, this time from part three. It reads: "We're not equal in IQ, or communication skills or any of those other functions; we're equal only in our essence, our essential humanity, our human nature. So if you discount the notion of 'the nature of things', you have no basis for equality. And then what happens? It becomes naked power, 'might makes right.'" (131).
All in all, if you care about the issue of abortion, you should definitely read this book. If you are pro-choice, it may make you uncomfortable. But it is very logical and thoughtful. If you are pro-life, it will provide you with more than just a philosophical basis for your convictions, it will inspire you to act on them.
June 20, 2021
This book is eminently readable. It requires no special preparation or education. It is immediately accessible to all readers. It approaches the question of abortion from three different angles and sets forth the pro life position very directly and simply.
The first approach is simply pure logic . If you find the common ground on which all agree, and then develop your arguments from there, building simply upon them, continuing to logically link your ideas so that they continue to be things upon which one must agree. This portion of the book goes (very logically and calmely) into the most divisive issues of what makes a person a person, and hence, at what stage of development should a fetus be considered to be a human and a person.
The second approach is a brief examination of 15 motivating factors, explaining in succinct terms why pro-lifers choose and persist in defending the pre-born child. These motivations include personal and societal reasons. The benefits to civilization are shown just as validly as the impact on individuals and small groups and beyond.
The third approach is presented in the manner of the ancient philosophers, by giving a dialogue between a pro-choice and a pro-life proponent. There is some emotion displayed, but in a realistic manner. On the whole, it is a remarkable dialogue because the characters involved continue the discussion notwithstanding the feelings they begin to exhibit. Rather than devolving into name-calling arguments, they persist in attempting to explain their respective viewpoints. In doing this it explores an enormous range of positions from both sides, and the underpinnings of those positions. That examination is made easier to follow by margin notations alerting the reader to when the topic is changing.
The book is a worthwhile read especially because of the depth in which it explores this topic. It presents the positions fairly and without name-calling. It does not rely upon propaganda or syllogisms, but calmly examines opposing views on this important topic.
The first approach is simply pure logic . If you find the common ground on which all agree, and then develop your arguments from there, building simply upon them, continuing to logically link your ideas so that they continue to be things upon which one must agree. This portion of the book goes (very logically and calmely) into the most divisive issues of what makes a person a person, and hence, at what stage of development should a fetus be considered to be a human and a person.
The second approach is a brief examination of 15 motivating factors, explaining in succinct terms why pro-lifers choose and persist in defending the pre-born child. These motivations include personal and societal reasons. The benefits to civilization are shown just as validly as the impact on individuals and small groups and beyond.
The third approach is presented in the manner of the ancient philosophers, by giving a dialogue between a pro-choice and a pro-life proponent. There is some emotion displayed, but in a realistic manner. On the whole, it is a remarkable dialogue because the characters involved continue the discussion notwithstanding the feelings they begin to exhibit. Rather than devolving into name-calling arguments, they persist in attempting to explain their respective viewpoints. In doing this it explores an enormous range of positions from both sides, and the underpinnings of those positions. That examination is made easier to follow by margin notations alerting the reader to when the topic is changing.
The book is a worthwhile read especially because of the depth in which it explores this topic. It presents the positions fairly and without name-calling. It does not rely upon propaganda or syllogisms, but calmly examines opposing views on this important topic.
December 17, 2020
The middle section is my favorite.
April 26, 2021
Good book till the dialogue.
August 19, 2022
Concise arguments, well written
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews