Untangling Popular Pro Choice Arguments

Abortion is a highly debated topic that evokes strong emotions and diverse opinions. Pro-choice advocates argue that a woman should have the right to choose what happens to her body, while pro-life advocates believe that life begins at conception and abortion is morally wrong. This article aims to untangle some of the popular pro-choice arguments, shedding light on their underlying premises and providing a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding this issue.

The Right to Autonomy

One of the key arguments made by proponents of the pro-choice movement is that women have the right to autonomy over their own bodies. They argue that forcing a woman to carry an unwanted pregnancy infringes upon her right to make decisions about her own reproductive health. Pro-choice supporters emphasize the importance of bodily autonomy, as it is seen as essential to gender equality and personal freedom.

The alt attribute for the image below: "Woman holding hands over abdomen, symbolizing personal choice."

Untangling Popular Pro-Choice Arguments: Critical Thinking about Abortion

by Hendrik van der Breggen (Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2300 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	154 pages
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Protecting Women's Health

Another argument put forth by pro-choice advocates is that legalizing abortion protects women's health and safety. They believe that when abortion is illegal or inaccessible, women resort to dangerous methods or seek unsafe abortions, putting their lives at risk. Pro-choice supporters argue that by providing legal and safe access to abortions, women can make informed decisions about their reproductive health without endangering their lives.

Rape and Incest

Pro-choice activists also argue that women who have become pregnant as a result of rape or incest should have the right to terminate the pregnancy. They emphasize that being forced to carry a child conceived in such traumatic circumstances can cause severe emotional distress and can further victimize the woman. Advocates assert that allowing these women to choose abortion is a compassionate response that respects their physical and mental well-being.

Fetal Abnormalities and Ethical Considerations

Some pro-choice arguments focus on cases where the fetus has been diagnosed with severe abnormalities or genetic disorders. Advocates argue that in such situations, it is more humane to terminate the pregnancy rather than subject the child to a life of suffering. They contend that these decisions should be made by the parents, in consultation with medical professionals, with the overall well-being of the child and family in mind.

Access to Reproductive Healthcare

Pro-choice supporters contend that access to safe and legal abortion is essential for overall reproductive healthcare. They believe that women should have the right to make decisions about their reproductive future, whether it is choosing to have children, space pregnancies, or avoid unwanted pregnancies. They argue that restricting access to abortion disproportionately affects marginalized populations and places an undue burden on those who already face numerous barriers to healthcare.

Untangling popular pro-choice arguments helps foster a more nuanced and informed dialogue surrounding the abortion debate. Acknowledging the complexities surrounding this issue is crucial in understanding the diverse perspectives held by individuals on both sides. By exploring these arguments, we can strive towards a more empathetic and balanced approach to this controversial topic.

Untangling Popular Pro-Choice Arguments: Critical Thinking about Abortion

by Hendrik van der Breggen (Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2300 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	154 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Endorsements

“Discussions on abortion often degenerate quickly into personal attacks and our culture is quick to supply us with a set of labels to encourage those attacks: anti-choice, pro-abortion, and others. Is it possible to discuss an issue this contentious in a way that critiques viewpoints while showing kindness and respect to those who hold them? Hendrik van der Breggen has shown the way in this book. Not only is it clear and readable, it is fair to all positions. Most importantly, he avoids straw man fallacies which are so common in writings on divisive and contentious issues. If you are looking for a book both to help you understand both sides in the ongoing abortion disputes of our culture and also to develop thoughtful responses for your own discussions with others, this will be an important book for you.”

—Paul Chamberlain, PhD, Professor of Ethics and Leadership, Director of the Institute for Christian Apologetics, Trinity Western University, author of Talking About Good And Bad Without Getting Ugly: A Guide To Moral Persuasion (InterVarsity Press)

“What a refreshing read! Dr. van der Breggen writes in a way that is easy to understand even for those who have never studied philosophy. The abortion debate is so tangled up in politics and slogans that reason gets left out of the discussion. This book approaches the overused and underthought arguments from a place of logic, allowing the reader to look again at what it means to be a member of the human race. I also found it refreshing that he is able to remove both politics and religion from the discussion around abortion. I highly recommend this book to anyone who thinks they already understand the abortion arguments circling through social media.”

—Roger Gingerich, MD, Family Physician, former Chairman of the Board, Providence University College and Seminary, former Executive Director of Christian Medical and Dental Association of Canada

“This is the clearest and most thorough summary of standard (plus many non-standard but important) pro-choice arguments and of sound pro-life replies to them that I have read. Van der Breggen is fair, patient, and non-abrasive to the pro-choice arguments he refutes. His counter-arguments are cogent, succinct, and intelligible. This will be a must-read for anyone seriously interested in the topic, and will make a great text for applied ethics, bioethics, or introductory ethics classes.”

—Patrick Lee, PhD, Professor of Philosophy, Director of the Center for Bioethics, Franciscan University of Steubenville

“I thoroughly enjoyed Untangling Popular Pro-Choice Arguments. Hendrik van der Breggen addresses the most common challenges to the pro-life position and offers brief and well-researched responses. ... Whether you are new to this issue, or have been studying it for years like me, you will benefit greatly from reading and studying Dr. van der Breggen’s book.”

—Sean McDowell, PhD, Associate Professor of Apologetics, Biola University

“Professor van der Breggen makes a valuable contribution to the abortion debate in systematically identifying the arguments used by pro-choice advocates to justify and promote women’s access to abortion and seeking to refute each of them. People on both sides of the debate, whether pro-life or pro-choice, will agree with some of van der Breggen’s arguments and disagree with others, but we will all be forced to analyse more precisely, whether our stance is ethical and justified. In short, whatever our position on abortion this book merits reading.”

—Margaret Somerville, AM, FRSC, DCL, Professor of Bioethics, Affiliate of the Institute for Ethics and Society, University of Notre Dame Australia

About the author

Hendrik van der Breggen, PhD (University of Waterloo), is a retired philosophy professor (formerly at Providence University College, Manitoba, Canada).