Single Idea 7587

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / F. Life Issues / 3. Abortion]

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'.