Focusing on the most prominent and prevalent arguments from the philosophical literature, A Critical Introduction to the Ethics of Abortion deals with the abortion issue primarily from an ethical perspective. Each chapter deals with a central argument to the debate, from the Being a Person vs. Functioning as a Person Argument and the permissibility of killing, to women's rights vis-à-vis the rights of the fetus, feminist arguments on abortion and bioethical issues concerning prenatal and embryonic ethical problems. Based on a critical assessment of the evidence and the strength of the arguments examined, it offers an impartial view of each of the arguments and draws on the importance of critical thinking and the logic of argumentation throughout. Providing an overview of the legal history and politics of abortion in the United State, it discusses five of the most important and influential Supreme Court cases on abortion law during the past fifty years and examines the current state of abortion law, politics and the main trends. Presenting a balance between ethical concepts, views and arguments, A Critical Introduction to the Ethics of Abortion is an up-to-date introduction to the choice of abortion illustrating the importance of evidence, clear thinking and good arguments for supporting one's ethical beliefs.