Posted on 05/03/2008 1:09:55 PM PDT by wagglebee
A panel discussion on one of society's most controversial issues -- abortion -- took place Thursday at Princeton University.
Seven panelists -- including Princeton's own professors Peter Singer, Don Marquis, Elizabeth Harman and Robert George -- offered wide-ranging views on the topic "Is It Wrong To End Early Human Life?"
Still, as panelist Jeff McMahan of Rutgers University pointed out, the debate over whether it is wrong to end early human rights could be simplified dramatically.
"I've only heard two answers to the question thus far," McMahan said midway through the discussion. "Yes, and no."
McMahan presented his own "threshold gradualist" view, designed to answer the question of when he thinks a person begins to exist.
"There is a threshold before which early human life doesn't morally matter," he said. "The capability for consciousness is essential for life and up until that point, there is only something there -- not someone."
Marquis, however, claimed that killing is wrong because it shortens life and deprives the individual -- born or otherwise -- of life's opportunities.
"The best account for the wrongness of killing is that killing deprives you of your future of value," he said. "Fetuses have futures like ours, therefore it's wrong to end the life of a fetus."
(Excerpt) Read more at nj.com ...
McMahan presented his own "threshold gradualist" view, designed to answer the question of when he thinks a person begins to exist.
"There is a threshold before which early human life doesn't morally matter," he said. "The capability for consciousness is essential for life and up until that point, there is only something there -- not someone."
These idiots don't seem to understand that moral issues DON'T HAVE NUANCES, somethings are either 100% right or 100% wrong.
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We pay our state and federal legislators, not the courts to make the hard political decisions. To watch hundreds of clowns squirm would be priceless.
Psychopath.
That “threshold” is called CONCEPTION.
if killing is wrong, so is abortion.
but it is a woman’s body- but the dna is different. YOu may have the right to control your dna, but you don’t have the right to control someone else’s dna.
Good point on the DNA. I once made a similar point to pro-aborts about how can a woman say that the baby she is carrying (excuse me, “foetus”) is “hers” to do with what she wishes, “her body”. Wrong on every count. As you said, DNA is a consideration and also, the baby may have entirely different blood type than the mother, it is truly amazing, a miracle of life. Of course, being educated in today’s school system, they didn’t consider that whatsoever, they just want to kill the unborn.
What a cold, heartless, selfish, loveless lot they are. After what, an estimated 40 mil abortions, I’m convinced that’s why our society is turning so heartless and evil, at least a large part of the problem. Abortion cheapens life, increases hatred, arrogance and cruelty. Many women that have had abortions would turn inside out spewing venom over someone killing a dog, cat or going hunting. I’ve seen it and so have many of you.
Then then there are those that must be devastated over what they’ve actually done. And to them I unhesitatingly offer a heartfelt prayer for healing and forgiveness and encourage them to reach out to Him who beckons you to come to Him with your terrible burden(s) and in doing so, you will find forgiveness and peace and the strength with which to deal with such a thing. My sins are no less terrible and wretched in His eyes either...
No, I would guess that they would patiently wait for it to emerge and then they would all marvel at the beauty and great majasty of life.
Sad that people can't muster up the same value for a human life, as they can for bugs, and frogs, and what not.
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What a line of garbage! Apparently they have not had any recent conversations with post-abortives! While it is great that the issue is being discussed more often and getting more publicity...they should at least provide a panel that is not so one-sided to have a truer debate. The presence of a few post-abortives on the panel would have changed the outcome drastically.
With Singer it is necessary to realize that ANY REASON to kill a human being is acceptable to him.
“There is a threshold before which early human life doesn’t morally matter,” he said. “The capability for consciousness is essential for life and up until that point, there is only something there — not someone.”
As the eminent sage and poet, Chuck D., once said:
“Years ago he would have been a ship’s captain.”
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