In the great 'life vs choice' (or oppression vs death) debate, I think we're looking at this wrong. What is a Human? Seems to me that a Human is differentiated from everything else by its experiences, memories and the mark it leaves on the world (most notably- the mark it leaves on the memories and experiences of other Humans in that word). Thats what makes a Human important, right? An unborn child has no experiences or memories (to be wasted) and the only effect it has had on the world is however its mere existance and potential future impact has effected its parents. Would viewing unborn children in this way change your opinion of the ethics of abortion and/or how it ought be approached from the legal perspective? Other thoughts?
To me it's more about capacity for a mental existence, especially suffering. I just don't necessarily think that somebody's ethical value is determined by their experiences and impact. A fetus has no capacity for any kind of suffering because it has no mental existence. Therefore it has no stake in anything, including its own existence. Something like that has no more moral value than an inanimate object. With sufficient technology I'm sure we could convert inanimate objects into something like a person, but until then it has no inherent moral value. None. Most pro-lifers just don't understand the nature of ethics and/or human physiology. If you look at one of the most recent developments, where they outlaw abortions once a heartbeat is detected, this is illustrative of how they just don't understand the ethics and/or physiology surrounding this at all. A heart is a pump, a tool, to sustain a person but it does not constitute a person in itself. Outlawing abortions based upon the function of this pump is.... really idiotic.
Your initial premise is flawed in that the newborn Human has no experience yet is differentiated and individual....it is now a citizen and new person. This person will impact many others and "Leave its Mark" over many decades. It is also important to note that whatever it becomes will rarely have any impact on MY life or yours so the entire concept is invalid.
No, what makes a human being important is his or her God given right to life. Not so. There is plenty of anecdotal evidence of prenatal sentience, and a fetus can hear at around four months. No doubt it would, were I loony enough to give it serious consideration.
1) Unless you have sat down with God for tea recently - you have no business speaking for God 2) So prior to 4 months you are ok with abortion ?
