[.ca] The Unaborted Socrates: A Dramatic Debate On The Issues ... (ISBN 0877848106)

A Hard Read:
This is one of those books that will surprise you in many ways. It was not what I was expecting - of course I did not have the subtitle, only the main title at that time. I was expecting a book on philosophy from Peter Kreeft, a professor of Philosophy. But it was three debates on issues surrounding abortion lead by Socrates. The format is three discussions led by Socorates with three groups of people. The first is with a Dr. Rex Herrod (King Herrod) held in a hospital in Athens in the present time. The second is again with Dr. Rex but also with his friend, a philosopher, Professor Atilla Tarian (Atilla the Hun) who is an ethicist, and it is held at a Philosophy convention. The final is in a Psychiatric ward with Pop Syke, (Pop Psychology) the psychologist. Each debate is written as a mini morality play, like those of classical Greek plays. Each is written as a dialogue and written somewhat tongue in cheek, filled with puns and word plays. This book was not an easy read, in that the material it deals with is very difficult and very controversial. It raises many questions that most people on both sides of the abortion debate probably do not think about. It is easy to read in that it was written in an easy style and flows nicely. The main focus of all three debates is when does life begin, and who will speak for the most helpless, the unborn. This is a tough read but one that will not leave the reader unchanged.

Great introduction, but not the final say!:
This book is an excellent introduction for the person who is just getting started in the abortion debate. Kreeft's clear logic and concise thinking will keep the reader entertained and convey the true issues behind the abortion debate. If the book is considered as such, this book should get five stars. Its staged conversations are a great way to keep the readers attention. Kreeft also shows how many of the pro-abortion arguments beg the question, and that the pro-life side has a lot to say on this topic. However, I would stop there. Because Kreeft authored the book, one might get the impression that Kreeft is going to give a complete analysis of the abortion debate. Like is generally his style of doing with other topics. But this is not the case nor do I think that is what Kreeft intended to do. Given this books short size, and pages, I think Kreeft just wanted to give a good overview of the principles behind the abortion debate. In this regard, Kreeft did an excellent job and I would recommend the book to any person looking for that. So just keep in mind that there are some strong arguments for abortion that are left out in this book. Such as "unplugging the violinist" argument by Judith Jarvis Thomson. If anybody gets more interested in the abortion debate, and would like to have a book that is guaranteed to convince even the most ardent pro-abortionist, I would strongly recommend, "Politically Correct Death : Answering the Arguments for Abortion Rights" by Francis J. Beckwith. This book is sure to shake the ground of any sincere pro-abortionist out there. It includes all arguments in the abortion debate and clearly shows the logical power on the pro-life side.

Do you trivialize the sacred?:
Peter Kreeft's essay against abortion employs Socratic dialectic as vehicle of moral illumination. For committed Pro-lifers much of what is discussed is manifestly obvious and True. This does not diminish its importance: the fetus is complete ontologically. It is not "potentially" a person...it is potentially a specific kind of person (baseball player; mother; astronaut; yuppie). That committed Pro-abortionists do not accept this is also manifestly obvious through 30 years of political struggle asserting "a" Value over against "a" Reality (pp 145-150)....and PREVAILING. Who is this book really written for then? Though there have been approximately 45 million legal abortions (cf: The Guttmacher Institute statistics) since 1973 Roe v. Wade decision by The Supreme Court, there are still many otherwise informed citizens who claim "invincible ignorance" of the reality of abortion and The Culture it furthers/subbtends.The fact never in three decades of Pro-choice have more than 2%-5% of these abortions been to save a mother's life or protect her health (cf:Guttmacher Annals; or Ryan Reports)might seem startling enough to shake ethical foundations of any but the most complacent or self-absorbed...at least into inquiry about the most important moral issue confronting this nation since SLAVERY. Kreeft is clever but hardly as profound or persuasive as he might be. The substantive arguments (where "gloves" come-off, as it were)don't begin until page 106 (with classic references to our Supreme Court vis-a-vis NAZI "anthropology" and its legal application during The Third Reich and WWII.)The thrust of the book, however,is on page 151: Do you accept sanctity of Life? Or do you trivialize the sacred? THE UNABORTED SOCRATES is written as prod to readers of conscience who still regard the value the latter portends, yet deny reality of vital(!) anti-life forces in society where they live as complicit,if passive, abettors.(3 and 1/2 stars)

Keen:
I loved the book so much that I translated it in French and have used it with some of my students in Quebec. It has wit and insight, bundled with kindness. Peter Kreeft is a philosopher who talks to the brain instead of splashing about philobabble.

Good but could have been better and fuller:
The indictment is clear, but the argument for it is still rather sketchy and limited. Those who perpetrate abortions are murderers (though a woman who allows her fetus to be killed is merely an unwitting murderer, tricked by modern philosophy). This is a somewhat brief, breezy, and entertaining look at the question of abortion, and it is surely no surprise that Peter Kreeft, a Catholic apologist of some fame and doggedness, has his rational Socrates come down squarely against the practice. Still, you've got to give Kreeft some high marks for not once refering to the Bible or religion to make his case against abortion. The three quick dialogues wander a bit, seemingly to make the characters appear real and their conversations off-the-cuff, but when the participants finally get around to making their best points, they all make fairly good ones. In my view, Kreeft is correct to center the entire moral argument for and against abortion on the personhood of the human embryo and fetus. Nevertheless, his case for considering the human fetus as a person -- made through Socrates' question-answer dialectic -- is sound but weak. Much more could be said in objection to Socrates' rapid, blithe conclusion that the human zygote should be considered a person than Kreeft allows his pro-choice opponents to say. Also, Kreeft does not even enter the world of law and democratic politics, which are, of course, as firmly in the center of the abortion debate as the definition of the fetus. Still, let me be clear, I am pro-life and agree with Socrates' conclusions. I just don't think his opponents in this debate are given the best or fullest challenges to the pro-life position. All in all, this is a worthwhile read. Sad to say, though: it has probably had little to no affect on the abortion debate. But all those who are pro-life must keep on talking, trying to persuade people to see the evils of this practice, in the dim hope that some day we shall overcome. We have no other choice.