# Michael Tooley and the Pattern Behind Pro-Abortion Thought

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-case-for-life-6591627/michael-tooley-and-the-pattern-behind-pro-abortion-thought
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-case-for-life-6591627/michael-tooley-and-the-pattern-behind-pro-abortion-thought.md
Podcast: [The Case for Life](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-case-for-life-6591627)
Published: 2026-07-08T15:51:45+00:00
Episode link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-case-for-life/episodes/Michael-Tooley-and-the-Pattern-Behind-Pro-Abortion-Thought-e3lqpqs
Audio file: https://anchor.fm/s/e4d31488/podcast/play/122561820/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-6-8%2F427592210-44100-2-25a0887b08c17.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-case-for-life-6591627/episodes/michael-tooley-and-the-pattern-behind-pro-abortion-thought
Duration seconds: 1700

## Resource

On this episode of the Case for Life, Scott Klusendorf breaks down philosopher Michael Tooley's mental continuity theory, which claims a right to life requires an actual (not just potential) self-aware subject with memories linking its experiences over time, meaning Tooley argues that infanticide can be justified. Scott exposes the recurring patterns beneath this and similar arguments, body-self dualism and arbitrarily chosen traits, showing why species membership and human nature, not cognitive performance, ground human equality. Once you learn to recognize these patterns, you'll be equipped to challenge them with confidence. Be sure to subscribe to The Case for Life Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app so you never miss a single episode. Follow Scott Klusendorf on Rumble, Youtube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to be kept up to date on everything God is doing through my pro-life work. Sign up for Pro-Life 101: 7 Days to Confident Engagement: https://scottklusendorf.com/prolife101/ Book me for an event or partner with Life Training Institute as a donor at https://prolifetraining.com.

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## Transcript

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