Quote:
|
Originally Posted by JinnKai
And this, precisely, is where our opinions differ. You've clearly identified the very reason that I refuse to accept that fetuses are morally significant human beings. While I acknowledge and agree that they have human DNA (so does sperm, mind you -- and they aren't human beings), I define human being in a much more specific sense. You yourself clearly note that fetues are unable to communicate it's will or make an autonomous decision. Furthermore, you establish that it's unlikely they even have a will, and I agree. I define a morally significant human being as someone who can (a) make an autonomous decision, (b) communicate that decision.
A fetus can do neither a nor b, so I do not consider it a morally significant human being.
|
I will grant, for the sake of argument, that you are correct in saying that fetuses can do neither a nor b. The natural response on my part is a reductio argument where I attempt to make you admit that your argument leads to absurd conclusions. To that end, consider which ones of the following can do neither a nor b:
-a newborn infant
-an adult in a persistent vegetative state
-an adult who is sleeping
Which, if any, of these three categories of people lack both a and b?
Which, if any, lack the moral status of a human being?
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by JinnKai
Yes. I wholeheartedly and earnestly believe that this being deserves less moral consideration than someone who contributes to human society in a symbiotic (rather than parasitic) manner. This is not to say that he is worthless -- only that on the scale of moral judgement, a living-breathing- "I can interact with" human deserves far more consideration than a shell of a being hooked to machines and artificial life preservation devices.
|
Would you say that a person hooked up to a respirator has less moral worth than someone who is not? Does a man who lives in an iron lung but continues to work from home have less moral worth than a perfectly healthy and independent deadbeat who contributes nothing to society?
Consider that being dependent on an outside apparatus for life and being an unproductive member of society are not the same thing.
I look forward to your response.