Quandry
I will start posting new, awesome stuff soon. But first, would like to ask a question that's bugging me right now:
How, philisophically, can you be pro-natural birth, anti-death penatly and still "pro-choice?" I'm pretty much left-wing when it comes to politics, but am really confused as to how abortion rights fit almost necessarially into the liberal point-of-view. I just came from a presentation about the virtues of natural death and natural birth and can't think of anything that combines birth and death in a more unnatural way than abortion.
Am I missing something huge here? It seems like I must be.
posted by Aaron at 1:23 PM
8 Comments:
Quagmire.
Aaron,
I think that first one needs to be able to define when "life" begins and when it" ends". Does it start with motile sperm, or the ovum that are present in the ovary at birth or when multiplication of the zygot or when there is a beating heart or perception of stimuli or at brain activity?
Let me know the answer!
See you soon,
Dad
people twist truth into a subjective tangle lies simply to help them sleep better at night.
Maybe Aaron your actually a closet right winger?
Unc Mark
I guess I'm starting to feel more and more like neither party or "wing" really represents my values. I think the abortion issue tends to be quite divisive and some people will throw their support behind a party based on that issue alone.
I took an ethics class my freshman year where we looked at all sides of controversial issues, and when it came to abortion, it seemed hard to argue that life doesn't begin at conception because there's no real discernable line between being an embryo and a human being -- it's all simply a matter of perspective.
In certian cases when the mother's health might be in danger, or in the event of a rape, I can see how abortion might have a bit more of an ethical grounding, but without extenuating circumstances, I can't find a really convincing reason to stand behind it.
Hmmm...indeed a difficult debate. i think the argument that makes the most sense to me about abortion, is that its validity needs to go on a case by case basis. Aro, your last comment about the certain cases where abortion could be justifiable seem pretty good to me. Even despite my feelings and thoughts on the whole topic though, i sort of feel like i'm in no position to say anything about the situation of countless women (and their partners) whom i don't even know anything about. On a general level still, i would say that aborting babies just doesn't seem right.
And where do you stand on the Terri Shaivo case? When there is no evidence of brain activity, but the body is still functioning, is that living or dying? At both ends of the spectrum (life and death), I think we have to give the individuals involved a healthy dose of grace.
Aunt Rachel
I'm not sure how I feel about Terri Shaivo. My gut says that life isn't something that should be forced, one way or the other.
That may not have anything to do with her case.
Overall, I'd say it's not my business, or the business of the courts. It'd be nice if things were that simple.
I am looking forward to seeing the new Star Wars at some point this month. How did you like it? I hear it has a couple of things to say about GWB as well?
I could end up in any number of unexpected places on the fourth of july, but right now current odds are on California.
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