Some time has passed since I’ve focused on the arguments presented by George and Tollefsen in Embryo, although my understanding is that they too reject Cartesian dualism, but present it as an often posited position others use to justify abortion.

When it comes to metaphysical arguments (and the meanderings that might entail), I offer the Gordian Knot-like shred-test. It’s all a wonderful mind exercise until one has to put their actual physical body on the line. Why should the unborn be subjected to such a shredding? If one’s body is truly immaterial to their person, what better proof than explaining how you’re still a person after your body is shredded?

Reality has a way of getting to the real truth.

Specifically, when it comes to abortion, the issue is about the physical bodies of the unborn and what is done to them.

By the way, somewhat unrelated, I’m currently reading “Embryo” by George and Tollefsen and I think I see where our disagreement came in on my blog. The dualism they describe is generally considered Cartesian dualism, which is a dualism I disagree with. You might want to look into Thomistic dualism, which places an emphasis on how the soul is tied to the body (i.e. the body isn’t impersonal; it is an intrinsic part of who we are).

J.P. Moreland’s recent book, “The Recalcitrant Imago Dei: Human Persons and the Failure of Naturalism” as, from what I understand, he goes into detail on it (I wouldn’t know as I have yet to receive my copy).