Specter's Idea of Making Life More Valuable
Here is a really good article I encourage you to read that points out the importance of examining the principles behind actions. Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter (R) thinks that since frozen embryos are going to die anyway, why not use 'em for research. In the article, Paul Greeburg explains how this short-sighted line of thinking can (and has) lead to all forms of inhuman actions:
HT: WorldMag
For some reason - can't imagine why - listening to the senator brought back the reasoning that German doctors once used to justify their experiments on concentration camp inmates. They were going to die anyway; why just throw them away?It is this kind of logic behind the actions that is scary. If something is going to be "wasted," why let it? Why not use the doomed individuals to advance our knowledge or to benefit mankind in some other way. Greenburg follows this line of thinking to its logical conclusions:
For the senator's logic has all kinds of possibilities. Think of the prisoners on Death Row. Or comatose patients in nursing homes who are not living so much as waiting to die. And what good are the Terri Schiavos doing anybody? Why not experiment on them, too? Or just use them for parts? They're just hanging around. Like those tiny embryos.To say that ethical decisions are far-reaching is an understatement. Precedents can be set that can effect countless individuals in ways never before imagined. It is important that we not make these types of decisions based on pragmatism, but on the notion that human life has intrinsic value regardless of its usefulness. Anything short of this will always lead to the destruction of someone for a "worthy cause." Who's next?
In another age, when the Rev. Jonathan Swift made a modest proposal to combat famine in Ireland - why not consume the next generation? - his essay was called a masterful satire.
Now it reads like today's news.
HT: WorldMag
Labels: David C. Price
posted by DAVID C. PRICE at 6/25/2005 05:00:00 AM
|
3 Comments:
Thanks for the link. Really good. I have thoughts on it but I am just mulling over it all. I don't want to be scared of the times that we are living in. My mind went to the war. Do you find any way that this article could relate to that situation also? I could be wrong. But, I just keep thinking on all who have died. For what ultimate cause? I can't even remember now. What are the "principles behind the actions"? Thanks for making me think. Take care.
Thanks for the comment, Marel.
Certainly, as far as "principles behind actions" is concerned, it does relate. The problem we often face is, as you said, forgetting why actions are underway now for what happened years ago. We have short memories.
I supported and do now support the war in Iraq, for instance, because I remember the years that the regime of Saddam Hussein began his public raid on liberty by attacking Kuwait in 1990. I remember how, even after he had agreed to a cease-fire and to discontinue operations against the coalition forces, he never did, all the while killing, en masse, millions of people within his own country. Every day, he fought and fired upon coalition aircraft who were monitoring the terms of the cease-fire agreement.
I know that an individual like him could not be trusted and would like to destroy every country that fought against him if he had the power. We never gave him that power.
I think our government made a huge mistake by either not recognizing or not more clearly stating the real reasons (which I think is probably the case) that war against Iraq was necessary. The world simply cannot tolerate the kinds of actions that were going on inside of Iraq against humanity nor the plans that were being made against western civilization (which has now been well-documented). On a governmental level, pacifism is not an option and, tragically, that means that men and women of the military must die. This is, however, nothing new. In every major conflict, people die...it will be people of the military or it will be innocent civilians. Governmental pacifism rarely, if ever, leads to real peace.
We have made mistakes, but that doesn't mean that the principles behind the actions are not valid in that situation. But it is right to question them. As citizens, it is our responsibility to make sure that those who represent us are doing the right thing at the right time. There will be differences of opinion, but that is healthy. Debate on an issue is a good thing if it causes us to come to the best possible answer.
I hope you find this helpful. I am more than happy to explore this subject further.
Thanks for the insight. For most areas, I lean in one direction. However, with everything being said on the issue, it has been hard to stand firm. Sometimes I feel since I do not have the words myself, I keep quiet about it. I want to sound like I know what I am talking about. I go on one blog IraqRising--it is a good one to also see that not all in the area are against what is happening. One other thing, you are right. People do forget what wars costs in lives. This is not a new concept. But, the media puts such a terrible spin on it. It becomes depressing and uncomfortable. I guess this is why we should teach how liberty is nothing to take for granite but should be treasured and protected. As I type this, I think about how Jesus fought for liberty for us also. So, it does all tie together sometimes. Well, will go for now. Thanks for letting me know of the response. Take care.
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home