The Silent Subject: Reflections on the Unborn in American Culture

by Brad Stetson

Overview

When, God willing, the abortion controversy is behind us, partisans of the pro-life and pro-choice positions are going to have to live together in this society. That is why, sloganeering and passionate polemics are inevitable, civil conversation is essential. And that is why The Silent Subject is such a gift to all of us at this point in the controversy. (From the foreword by Richard John Neuhaus) The essays in this work constitute a sensitive, public argument for a reconstruction of the confused—yet dominant—popular attitudes toward nascent human life and its value. Unlike most pro-life arguments, it offers no strictly religious or exclusively sectarian warrants for its assertions - instead bearing a more secular cast, speaking to a generalized and pluralistic audience. As a whole, The Silent Subject embraces no specific, particular political ideology. Its contributors have a broad spectrum of professional interests, political perspectives and social philosophies - all of which indicates the fundamentally humanistic and apolitical nature of concern for the unborn and the degree to which they are esteemed. This unusual book is a refreshingly candid and morally compelling analysis of the social forces that superintend our cultural outlook toward unborn human life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780275950323
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	01/30/1996
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.75(d)

About the Author

BRAD STETSON is director of the David Institute, a social research organization. Stetson received his Ph.D. in Social Ethics from the University of Southern California. His previous books include: Challenging the Civil Rights Establishment, coauthored by Joseph G. Conti (Praeger, 1993) and Pluralism and Particularity in Religious Belief (Praeger, 1994).

Table of Contents

Foreword by Richard John Neuhaus
Preface
Introduction by Brad Stetson
Ethical Perspectives
Substances, Property-Things and Human Persons: The Moral Status of Fetuses and Embryos by John A. Mitchell and Scott B. Rae
Ignorance of Fetal Status as a Justification For Abortion by Francis J. Beckwith
Moral Duty to the Unborn and Its Significance by Sidney Callahan
The "Medicalizing" of Abortion Decisions by Thomas Murphy Goodwin
Cultural Perspectives
Feminism and Imaging the Unborn by Camille S. Williams
Sex and Consequences: An Anthropological View by Olivia Vlahos
Personal Perspectives
Motherhood in the 90's: To Have or Have Not by Maria McFadden
Pregnancy Care Centers: Sisterhood is Powerful by Frederica Mathewes-Green
Women Who Abort: Their Reflections on the Unborn by David C. Reardon
Religious Perspectives
When Good Men Do Nothing: Reflections From a Modern-Day Burgermeister by Michael Mckenzie
The Catholic Debate on the Moral Status of the Embryo by Tom Poundstone
Legal Perspectives
The Effective Enforcement of Abortion Law Before Roe v. Wade by Clarke D. Forsythe
Supreme Court Jurisprudence and Prenatal Life by Tom Poundstone
Selected Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

5 Stars! from Doody

This is an edited collection of original essays written by authors representative of varied backgrounds, academic disciplines, and professional affiliations. This book addresses a subject integral to the abortion debate that has received little critical attention, notably, the significance of human fetal life and the cultural and social forces that shape our understanding and assessment of it. Although intended for a ""generalized and pluralistic"" audience, the book will hold particular appeal to pro-life proponents. Composed of 13 essays, the book is organized into five distinctive sections that address the ethical, cultural, personal, religious, and legal aspects of abortion and fetal life. This collection offers a comprehensive examination of fetal life and the threat abortion poses. Many of the essays provide intriguing theoretical justifications for the antiabortion position. Essays in the ethics section, for example, challenge the notion of therapeutic abortions, the argumentation of Roe versus Wade, the devaluation of fetal life, and its uncertain moral status. Other essays provide historical background regarding abortion law, the Catholic position concerning prenatal life, grass roots efforts to assist women in carrying pregnancies to term, and offer reflections of women who have aborted. Still other essays address cultural views of sex, its consequences, our attitudes toward the unborn, and reflect upon a growing apathy in protesting abortion. Although a variety of perspectives are explored, collectively, the essays serve to underscore the value of fetal life and assign it central prominence in the abortion debate. Pro-life proponents will find in this collection manyperspectives and arguments to support their position. Skeptics and critics will gain further insight into the pro-life position and find many additional arguments with which to take issue.

Diane M. Kondratowicz

Based on the premise that honest public discussion of "nascent human life" (the fetus) is impeded by feminists, the politically correct, and prevailing social custom, the volume's 13 essays cover ethical, cultural, personal, religious, and legal perspectives on the subject of the fetus in America. The contributors, primarily Christian activists, include professors of theology, religion, philosophy, and psychology. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

Reviewer: Diane M. Kondratowicz, PhD (University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine)
Description: This is an edited collection of original essays written by authors representative of varied backgrounds, academic disciplines, and professional affiliations.
Purpose: This book addresses a subject integral to the abortion debate that has received little critical attention, notably, the significance of human fetal life and the cultural and social forces that shape our understanding and assessment of it.
Audience: Although intended for a "generalized and pluralistic" audience, the book will hold particular appeal to pro-life proponents.
Features: Composed of 13 essays, the book is organized into five distinctive sections that address the ethical, cultural, personal, religious, and legal aspects of abortion and fetal life. This collection offers a comprehensive examination of fetal life and the threat abortion poses. Many of the essays provide intriguing theoretical justifications for the antiabortion position. Essays in the ethics section, for example, challenge the notion of therapeutic abortions, the argumentation of Roe versus Wade, the devaluation of fetal life, and its uncertain moral status. Other essays provide historical background regarding abortion law, the Catholic position concerning prenatal life, grass roots efforts to assist women in carrying pregnancies to term, and offer reflections of women who have aborted. Still other essays address cultural views of sex, its consequences, our attitudes toward the unborn, and reflect upon a growing apathy in protesting abortion. Although a variety of perspectives are explored, collectively, the essays serve to underscore the value of fetal life and assign it central prominence in the abortion debate.
Assessment: Pro-life proponents will find in this collection many perspectives and arguments to support their position. Skeptics and critics will gain further insight into the pro-life position and find many additional arguments with which to take issue.

Doody's Review Service