Guest guest Posted November 12, 2000 Report Share Posted November 12, 2000 Sun: Here is my belated response (which will make no sense to those who have not reviewed her post: feel free to skip.)<br><br>Well, actually I'm not absolutist against killing a fetus. For example, it would seem to be perfectly acceptable to abort a fetus in a case where both mother and child would otherwise die. Most everyone would agree on that, I think.<br><br>I guess persons, among whom I class human beings in utero, are at one end of a "compassion-continuum" and have a very strong claim on our compassion (I'm not really sure that makes sense). Cabbages, to use your example, are at the other end and may be plucked at one's discretion. Ferrets (say) are somewhere in between. The closer one is to the cabbage end of things, the wider is the range of cirumstances in which one may be licitly done in. I guess a worthy yogic goal is to extend our compassion as far down the spectrum as our good sense and biological limitations will allow.<br><br>As for consequences: I agree that the consequences of an act are at least a partial factor in determining whether that act is right or wrong, and that there are tangible, widely felt negative consequences to the existence of unwanted babies. However, the consequences of countenancing the killing of unborn persons are also widely felt, and though more subtle, are no less negative in my estimation (and, sadly, in my experience).<br><br>I would like to go on -- the temptation to argue at length on this topic is very great -- but I resolve instead to follow bandawoman's example and leave the last word to others.<br><br>Peace and Good,<br>Homer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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