Silent Subject

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.

"Brad Stetson is to be commended for intelligently introducing and editing this well-organized group of essays on the moral issue that is to our time what human sacrifice was to Carthage, genocide to Germany, and slavery to the old South. Reading it will expand the vision of both defenders and attackers of unborn human lives, and thus contribute, however modestly, to the salvation of our civilization. The variety of perspectives--ethical, cultural, personal, religious, and legal--multiplies the power of the argument, like multiple witnesses. I do not think the pro-choice media establishment will dare to acknowledge the existence of this book. For I do not see how any reasonable and open-minded person can ever be "pro-choice" again after reading it."-Peter Kreeft, Ph.D. Professor of Philosophy, Boston College, "I believe [the pro-life movement] has by now obtained the victory of opinion so far as evidence is concerned. The next battle is that of duty or obligation--a far tougher one but one to which The Silent Subject makes a strategic contribution."- William B. Allen, Ph.D. former Chairman, United States Commission on Civil Rights Dean, James Madison College, Michigan State University, "The Silent Subject should help replace heat with light as America continues to debate the most urgent civil rights issue of our generation."- George Weigel, president Ethics and Public Policy Center, Washington, D.C., ?(These essays are) interesting and informative, while some are so profoundly moving as to almost overshadow the rest of the book...This book demonstrates that the truth about the nature of abortion is taking its toll on those who would deny that truth; and that falsehood never leaves those who indulge in it unscathed.?-The Interim, ?Brings out the lively academic dimension of pro-life America...The book is a rich assortment, and the reader has the sense of dipping into the extended reflections of distinguished philosophers, sociologists, doctors, and lawyers. If you are tired of the image of pro-life folk as mindless zealots, you might discover a new world opening up.?-Crisis

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).