Notes:

Review of the Basic Pro-Life Argument:

1. Definition and ground rules:

• • Abortion defined (Kaczor): The intentional killing of a human fetus. This definition begs no questions and is affirmed by many on both sides of the debate.¹
  • Ground rules: There is no such thing as a “woman’s perspective” on abortion that trumps all rational inquiries into the subject. Indeed, feminists, let alone women in general, have no single perspective on the issue. Gender is irrelevant. It is arguments that must be advanced and defended.

2. Pro-life syllogism:

• • P1: It is wrong to intentionally kill an innocent human being.
  • P2: Abortion intentionally kills an innocent human being.
    Therefore,
  • C: Abortion is morally wrong.

¹ Christopher Kaczor, The Ethics of Abortion: Women’s rights, Human Life, and the Question of Justice (New York: Routledge, 2011) p.8.