tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8975445349407458580.post3408739534842837279..comments2023-06-17T02:58:20.231-07:00Comments on Earthenware Vessel: When does human life begin?Virgie P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16518011349978725414noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8975445349407458580.post-52925500849680659422008-02-08T01:33:00.000-08:002008-02-08T01:33:00.000-08:00If the argument is that a conscious fetus counts a...If the argument is that a conscious fetus counts as a human life (as opposed to human grouping of cells), then life could probably be said to begin when the brain starts showing activity, which is apparently somewhere around 40 days from conception. <BR/><BR/>As for the consciousness of non-human entities, a tree would probably be about as conscious as your feet; bacteria probably less so. But why stop there? Perhaps molecules (not to mention their component parts)themselves have a smidgen of consciousness in them!<BR/><BR/>Also, I think the most intelligent creatures on the planet are probably squid, as they have the largest <BR/>brain cell : other cell<BR/>ratio of all. Of course, we'll never know since they don't talk...<BR/>That is, if there's such a thing as "most intelligent." Obviously, a squid has a very different range of concerns and focuses than a human, so it would be very hard to compare them at all outside of raw computer power.BenjyWayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06261221446021961964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8975445349407458580.post-37365183119003327812008-01-31T10:20:00.000-08:002008-01-31T10:20:00.000-08:00Resulting moral obligations: I think as a rule it'...Resulting moral obligations: I think as a rule it's good to avoid killing any living creature, but clearly we prioritize the needs and even just the desires of organisms with higher forms of consciousness--e.g. killing parasitic worms that live in a dog--the dog is more important than the worms, not just because the owner enjoys the dog more, but because the dog is a higher life form. <BR/><BR/>When it comes to manipulating embryos, I don't think my idea about different levels of consciousness could prevent it. <BR/><BR/>But personally, I feel that manipulating embryos is wrong on the same level as the stuff in the Levitical holy code. It's just not right. It may not "hurt" anyone, but it violates some difficult to define moral principle which is more felt than rationally understood.Virgiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04219909874634670368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8975445349407458580.post-87127032037961176082008-01-31T07:05:00.000-08:002008-01-31T07:05:00.000-08:00Interressant. Although it strikes me a little lik...Interressant. Although it strikes me a little like the opposite extreme to Peter Singer's ethics, which has some serious consequences for the sanctity of human life. What do you see as the resulting moral obligations toward people/animals/plants?Mirandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11744142340960124454noreply@blogger.com