In this video, author Alex Epstein (president and founder of the Center for Industrial Progress) interviews philosophers Onkar Ghate and Gregory Salmieri on the topic of abortion as it is viewed in American politics. They discuss abortion bans, attempts to overturn Roe v. Wade, and the main arguments for and against the legalization of abortion. Ghate and Salmieri clarify the nature of individual rights and how these rights relate to the issue of abortion, underscoring the fact that abortion is good, moral and even heroic at times. They also explain why asking the question “When does life begin?” is not helpful—and Salmieri argues that it is immoral to knowingly bring to term a fetus with a serious defect.

NOTE: this interview was recorded at OCON 2019 but was not part of the official program.