The Abortion Argument That Justifies Infanticide

In this video, we examine one of the most influential philosophical arguments used to defend abortion. The argument of philosopher Michael Tooley. Unlike many popular arguments, Tooley’s view does not stop at abortion. If his reasoning is taken seriously, it also permits infanticide. That’s not a rhetorical exaggeration it’s his explicit conclusion. So the real question is not whether his logic is consistent, but whether the standard he uses to determine the right to life is actually true. According to Tooley, a human being only has a serious right to life once they develop self consciousness, the ability to think of themselves as the same individual existing over time and to desire continued existence. In this video, we carefully explain his argument step by step, show why many people unknowingly appeal to it, and then examine the deeper problem at the foundation of his view. If human worth depends on the prior acquisition of mental abilities, then dignity becomes conditional, something some humans have and others do not. That has profound consequences for infants, the disabled, and the concept of human equality itself. This video challenges that framework and argues that grounding the right to life in psychological development ultimately collapses the very idea of equal human dignity. If you care about philosophy, ethics, abortion, or the foundations of human rights, this is a discussion you cannot afford to ignore. 👍 If you found this helpful, consider liking the video and subscribing for more content on Christianity, theology, and difficult questions.