Full Idea
The issue of abortion is intractable, partly because of the absence of any other case to which it can be assimilated.
Gist of Idea
The issue of abortion seems insoluble, because there is nothing with which to compare it
Source
Roger Scruton (A Dictionary of Political Thought [1982], 'abortion')
Book Reference
Scruton,Roger: 'A Dictionary of Political Thought' [Pan 1983], p.1
A Reaction
This is the legalistic approach to the problem, which always looks for precedents and comparisons. All problems must hav solutions, though (mustn't they?). The problem, though, is not the value of the foetus, but the unique form of 'ownership'.