The Unaborted Socrates: A Dramatic Debate on the Issues Surrounding Abortion

I bought this book because I enjoyed both Kreeft's heaven and hell and the eucharist fictional dialogues. I really enjoyed this one, though not as much as the previous two; the book was just very short (I read it in 2 days) and I would have liked to see the "life of the mother" question addressed, which is raised, for example, in ectopic pregnancies. The main issues were well addressed. There are also headings for each topic summarizing the main idea of the paragraphs below, but I found these to be annoying because it seemed to disrupt the natural flow of the conversation and take away some of the element of surprise, especially with tangents.Kindle Edition specifically: There were also some glaring typos that can affect the dialogue if you don't notice them. For example, Socrates' name was once substituted for a different word, making it seem like the words were actually spoken from someone else. You have to substitute guesses for typos pretty often, but it isn't too hard. Also, the dialogue for each character doesn't always start on a new line. None of this should prevent you from buying the book however. Neither does this justify the current Kindle price.

Professor Peter Kreeft presents the arguments on both sides of the abortion debate through the interaction of Socrates with 3 pro-choice advocates, one an abortion doctor, another an ethicist, and the last a psychologist. By use of the Socratic method, a form of cross-examination commonly used by law professors, Socrates grills each of his opponents on the various issues involved in the abortion debate. Socrates, of course, is pro-life and subjects each of his pro-choice opponents to merciless debate. The logic he employs is extremely compelling, so much so that abortion doctor, ethicist and psychologist end up agreeing with him on many points.The main issue which all arguments return to is whether the fetus is a human being or person. If the fetus is a human being or person, then abortion is murder. None of Socrates opponents are willing to concede the personhood of the fetus, despite the effectiveness of Socrates arguments. The most that they would concede was that they did not know whether the fetus was a person, although Socrates succeeds in convincing the abortion doctor to admit the folly of killing the fetus when one does not know whether or not the fetus is a human being or person.Professor Kreeft's dramatic play was fast paced and riveting. Both pro-life and pro-choice advocates would benefit by delving into this masterpiece. Every page provides thought-compelling and irresistible reading.

An exceptional work and definitely worth reading several times.While debating pro choice vs pro life, Socrates seeks peace and common ground with Dr. Rex H. Using the basics of logic and gentle persuasion, he brings his opponent to his side without arguments and anger that leaving both sides hurt and unwilling to see the other side.Socrates' method is to remain neutral, choosing neither side but simply agreeing to explore and dicover the truth along with Dr. H.A profound read that will give you logical and solid facts on abortion.The only reason that I really give it four and a half stars is that the kindle edition has a rather large number of typos, so a little sloppy on the copying.I wound definitely recommend this book to young and old alike, although perhaps the paper edition.Fabulous job, Peter Kreeft!

This, in my opinion, is an excellent work. Even if you don't agree with the conclusions reached here, it still is a good, logical work. It essentially uses Socratic thought to address and challenge pro-abortion thinking.I didn't expect this, but it really does a nice job of teaching the reader how to have debate, without getting emotional or verbally attacking the other person. The writer sticks very closely to rational thought, and I really appreciated that. I will not be selling this book. It's worth the money, and worth a re-read.The English is excellent as well. I didn't need a dictionary on-hand, just to understand one sentence :)

I first stumbled on this gem in the mid 80s at Calvin College. It was right around the time my firstborn was conceived thus my keen interest in the topic. I must say the presentation is as powerful today as it was then.Dr. Kreeft makes the details of the arguments for both sides a bit more approachable by embedding them in an imaginary dialogue. It is witty and entertaining and though I am no expert on philosophy it seems to effectively demonstrate the ability of Socratic logic to strip away pretense, false premise and emotionalism.Of course post-modern philosophy has proclaimed reason and truth "dead" and such thinking renders the logic in this thin volume nearly worthless. Nonetheless there may still be a few jolly souls that would enjoy trying to poke holes in Dr. Kreeft's dialogues. I would actually welcome such an effort, but haven't found any to date. Feel free to enlighten me if you have seen anyone challenge this imaginary Socrates' way of thinking and provide convincing counter arguments. I'd really like to be challenged by such a response or engage such a person in some friendly dialogue over a drink or two!

Kreeft has demolished the arguments for abortion in this slim volume, at least, if you believe in logic. He imagines Socrates, the master of debate from ancient Greece, tackleimg the question of abortion. Step by step he counters the arguments of three abortion proponents. He visits an abortion and talks with Dr. Rex Herrod, an abortionist,then with Professor Attila Tarian an ethicist at a philosophy convention, and finally with Professor "Pop" Syke in a psychiatric ward. His flustered opponents keep coming back for more, but Socrates keeps countering their arguments step by step until the reader wonders how they can be so dense and dogmatic as not to see where the logic is going.

Absolutely fantastic read! Each page was fun and educational which was a unique literary feat for such a emotive and upsetting topic.

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.

If you have ever wanted to hear both sides of the debate on abortion, this book is for you! Socrates visits a doctor at an abortion clinic, attends a debate about abortion, and more...this would make a great play.