Summary – The Libertarian Abortion Debate
In this episode, I discuss the recent Dobbs decision by the supreme court that overturns Roe vs. Wade, why I think abortion is a moral evil but am deeply conflicted about its legality, and how there exists a healthy debate within the libertarian movement about when, where, and how abortion should be legal. We then look at Michael Gorman’s 1981 book Abortion and the Early Church to contextualize the early Christian perspective on abortion, and then take one more swipe at Gorman’s unfortunate understanding of capitalism.
Episode Outline:
| I. | My Mixed Feelings on the Legality of Abortions |
| II. | I Like the Dobbs Decision |
| III. | The Abortion Debate Within Libertarianism |
| IV. | Abortion and the Church |
| V. | An Economic Postscript |
Media Referenced:
- Abortion and the Early Church, Michael Gorman
- Abortion Under the 9th and 14th Amendment, Damon Root (https://reason.com/2022/06/29/abortion-rights-under-the-9th-and-14th-amendments/)
- To Avoid Civil War, Learn to Tolerate Different Laws in Different States, Ryan McMaken (https://mises.org/wire/avoid-civil-war-learn-tolerate-different-laws-different-states)
- Kerry Baldwin vs. Avens O’Brien (https://reason.com/2022/06/29/two-libertarians-debate-abortion/)
- The Tom Woods Show: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-2154-roe-overturned-historians-discuss-the-decision/id716825890?i=1000568582638
- Part of the Problem: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roe-is-overturned/id833706616?i=1000568026339
- The Reason Roundtable: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-wrong-with-abortion-federalism/id1155629323?i=1000567890503