Abortion Quote by Scott Klusendorf
““Here's the problem for the secularist: where does the right to an abortion come from? If it comes from the state, he really can't cry foul if the state decides to revoke that right. After all, the same government that grants rights can take them away. However, most abortion-choice advocates thing the right to abortion is fundamental, meaning women have that right even if it's not respected by the state. Yet how can fundamental rights of any kind exist without a transcendent source of authority that grants them?””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Podcast on Ethics and Law, 2022
Rights claimed as fundamental must have a source beyond state authority; otherwise they can be revoked at will.
In simple terms: Fundamental rights need a higher authority to be stable.
Key Takeaway
Seek grounding for rights beyond governmental power.
Themes
human rights
law
ethics
authority
transcendence
Mood
thought‑provoking
critical
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- legal drafting
- activism
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
natural law
social contract
political philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- What can secure rights without invoking a higher authority?
- How do societies protect rights in pluralistic contexts?
A Different Perspective
Relying on transcendent authority may exclude secular perspectives.
![“The power of the state stops at our skins. They can't restrict contraception [or] abortion. They can't take our kidneys. Bodily integrity is a principle.” quote by Gloria Steinem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/49f/gloria-steinem-277_abortion_the-power-of-the-state-stops-at-our-skin_304477.jpg)
