Ep 10: 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


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