Does Bodily Autonomy Justify Abortion? (a discussion with my wife Chelsea)

My wife Chelsea returns to Truthspresso to continue a series discussing abortion.

Many abortion advocates now appeal to philosophy to argue that “bodily autonomy” proves that abortion on demand should be legal for any reason, even if the unborn are fully human and have a “right to life.”

Chelsea and I discuss Judith Jarvis Thomson’s “unconscious violinist” thought experiment and the case of McFall v. Shimp. We believe these examples do not support abortion.

We also argue that “bodily autonomy” is not an absolute truth. Without the foundation of the Word of God and the gospel, secular philosophy will always change and fail.

Chelsea holds a B.S. in Nursing from Regis University, a Masters in Nursing from Pensacola Christian College, and a post-Master’s certificate in Certified Nurse Midwifery from the University of Colorado. She has worked as a pediatric nurse, has volunteered over eight years of work at crisis pregnancy centers in Colorado and Florida, and has delivered over 100 babies. Chelsea runs the websitewww.crmidwifery.comto offer her services. She is opening her own life-affirming clinic this year to serve women in the Denver Metro area.

Sources referenced:

Judith Jarvis Thomson, “A Defense of Abortion.”

Cable Neuhaus, “A Cousin’s Stunning Refusal to Donate Bone Marrow Leaves Robert McFall Facing Death,” People.com, August 14, 1978.

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