When Life Begins. A Fact or a Definition?
Notice that if you ask "When does life begin?" you get a definition, not a fact. What does this mean for the debate between pro-choicers and pro-lifers, one side defining life to begin at birth, the other at conception? Doesn't it mean that it's a problem without a solution?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Shabaka Tecumseh on -
mis...you're funny..imo confused..but funny..the fundamental question is when does the life of the "baby" begin not that of the sperm or egg..they are mutually exclusive.
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Permalink Reply by Cara Coleen on -
If that's the fundamental question, then the initial question needs to be more specific. The question really isn't "when does life begin?" You can't fault her for being overly technical. If you want her/us to decide at what point the fetus becomes a person, say that.
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Permalink Reply by Rob Klaers on -
I have to add.. Ok, those separate components are living on a rudimentary level, correct. The question remains when does the form they combine into become life.? At the single cell level before it's attached to the uterine wall? Once it's attached? Or when a face is formed at 12 weeks? Or when the brain begins to function and the nervous system develops? It's all very subjective..
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Permalink Reply by IEatDinosaurMeat on -
The appendix is a life, shame on all those doctors giving people appendectomies. so what if appendicitis is a life threatening disease, it's still a life! They're all murderers.
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Permalink Reply by Ron V on -
"Sperm are alive, eggs are alive,"
By the same criteria, it would appear cancer is alive and molar pregnancies are alive, but I don't think that is really the issue (although we could discuss what life is for some time). I think the real question isn't about "life" but really is when is something a human being? On this, there is no consensus, and it will give you something to mentally masturbate as long as you like.
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Permalink Reply by Isaac on -
Sperm are alive, eggs are alive, when they come together they are still alive.
So, by you menstruating, does that constitute terminating life? If so, then does that make you a serial killer? Does that making me a genocidal maniac for masturbating?
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Permalink Reply by matt.clerke on -
Only if you masturbate maniacally!
Also, see that apple your eating? that's alive!
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Permalink Reply by Artor on -
Nice bit of black & white dualism you've got there. Too bad the world doesn't work that way. The question is more a case of when does human life begin? A fertilized ova technically has the potential to be human, but there's a lot of development that needs to happen before we can call it that. A fetus by the third trimester is recognizably human, so it happens sometime before then, but it's not possible to state that this mass of cells is not human, but this one it.
Once we can agree on a specific definition, then we can talk. Until then, statements like, "You have two options...which one is it?" are meaningless and actually pretty stupid.
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Permalink Reply by Brandon Langham on -
Now this is something I definetely agree with. As far as abortion goes, make your own choice. I really don't see why people are so concerned about another womans choice, especially when that choice does not affect them in any way.
However, since we are the dominant and intelligent species on this planet, we should most definetely be held responsible for how we treat the other animals. Animals are undeniably alive, they can feel pain, they have emotions whether we want to admit it or not. I certainly consider the issue you posted here to be more pressing than abortion.
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Permalink Reply by matt.clerke on
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Sorry Ash but I have to disagree... that's a false dichotomy (I think that's the right term). What I mean is, those aren't the only two options...
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Permalink Reply by Andrew on -
yes but then you get the argument that:
If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, then it doesn't really make a sound. (or, if a particle has a position and velocity, but the are impossible to measure simultaneously, do both properties exist independently?)
Basically, if a person dies in a building, and no one ever knows, then it's like they didn't die. The only reason that sounds funny is because a person in a building usually has acquaintances that can account for his existence. A fetus has no such acquaintances, because no one can attest that it is alive!
You can't say that it's ALIVE, because that statement has no meaning, just like saying a particle has an exact position and velocity has no meaning. see also: "positivism"
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