Before you reply, let me explain my thoughts. Many discuss, "When does the embryo become a human being?" These people are so obsessed with the idea that this is the only thing that matters. Then when I ask them, "What do you think about hunting, or the death penalty?" they reply they're all for it, or that's different. Killing animals is "OK, because we're a higher being". If anything, I think this gives us the responsibility of morality, to recognize that taking advantage over other species with awareness of their position is inherently wrong. The death penalty is simply the same thing as aborting a late-week fetus, except that the fully developed human actually has dreams, hopes, fears, loves, aspirations, feelings, and a capacity of knowledge.
My view is that morality should be questions based on whether or not someone or something is suffering. That is, after all, what it boils down to, is it not? So, the question is, to me, when does the embryo actually able to *suffer*?
2007-09-27 03:08:02 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
The fact that we are higher beings does give us a greater moral responsibility. That is all the more reason that we should not abort babies.
2007-09-27 03:12:53 · answer #1 · answered by kcchaplain 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
That's one of the deeper questions around and one that's sure to start anything from a lively debate to a fist fight âº
I guess the real answer is when does the 'potential' to become a human cease and the reality of 'being' a human begin.
I kinda like your analogy about suffering. I've done some hunting but I don't think of killing animals as being OK because we're a 'higher life form'. One hunts for food. Period. I've never been real big on going out and killing something just for the hell of it.(Curiously, I notice that you didn't mention domesticated animals raised specifically for food. Are they somehow different than a deer in the Forest?)
Anyway.... You're gonna be busy all night reading all the answers this is sure to generate âº
Doug
2007-09-27 10:33:51 · answer #2 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is never ok to abort any embryotic cells, whether they are developed or not. It's the same case as vegans not eating eggs. A life is inside, whether it is developed or not.If the embryo inside is not yet developed and can't think for itself, all the more humans should actually protect it until it is able to and make it's own decision.
2007-09-27 11:14:36 · answer #3 · answered by moving'still 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An embryo "develops" the ability to suffer only after it has sufficiently developed a central-nervous system. This will allow them to feel. Plants have no capacity for feelings because they have no brain and no branches of neurons or "nerves." So now you have this question: when can an embryo feel what is happening to itself? Which will lead you to this question: Do you have to have "self-awareness" to feel pain? But then, what is Self? And how to you get one? Good luck.
2007-09-27 10:36:41 · answer #4 · answered by Josef Ritter 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some would try to argue ageist contraceptive measures.
It really doesn’t matter that it is killing it is a mothers rights vs babies rights and the mommy wins. At least until the baby is born then, we would feel that it is a communities/societies rights vs babies rights, or cereal killers rights for that matter.
2007-09-27 10:31:59 · answer #5 · answered by grey_worms 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When does "sin" becomes "sin"?
It is not the action that matters, but rather the intentions
The very thought to go thru' abortions when life is conceived is wrong (personal conviction)
2007-09-27 10:17:01 · answer #6 · answered by KK 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When it is done against the mother's wishes (forced upon her); when it places her life or health in danger (as many illegal abortions do).
2007-09-27 21:58:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋