I like when people use the “clump of cells” argument like that doesn’t perfectly describe all life as we know it. You sir are just a clump of cells, can I take your life because you are an unwanted clump of cells?
Early foetal development stages are literal clumps of pluripotent cells. A lot like most medical test matter when it comes to testing mechanisms in human/eukaryotic organisms. What both lack, is Organisation and viability. If we were to follow your argument, we wouldn’t be allowed to use nearly all medication developed in the last 50 years or so. Also: whom would you try for the repeat murder of Henrietta Lacks?
“I” am not a clump of cells. I am the ghost in the machine. A pattern, existing in a biological computer, piloting a meat mech. Once that pattern ceases to exist, “I” cease to exist, even if the meat mech is still fully functional. At that point, what remains is just a clump of cells. Or, more usefully, a collection of spare parts, for other meat mechs.
For many, the key difference between a fetus/baby and a “clump of cells” is the ability to support similar patterns (a soul, if you will). Almost all abortions happen long before the clump of cells develops to the point it can support such a pattern. (Neurons alone aren’t enough, it needs a critical mass and proper wiring)
There is a potential for argument on late term abortions. I agree that should be restricted. Even that, however need to be dealt with with solomness, logic and care, not emotional knee jerking.
There’s the ad hominem. Out of curiosity how do you determine if someone or something has a consciousness, how do you feel about people on life support that are clinically brain dead? How about people in a coma?
If I was braindead with no hope of recovery then I would seriously hope my family pulled the plug. It wouldn’t be me anymore and I would hate to be a drain on resources for nothing.
I call it an “argument” because it is a very standard and typical “argument” made when debating abortion. Yes we are all clumps of cells and if you google “debunking clump of cells argument” you will find much more intuitive and thoughtfull responses.
I like when people use the “clump of cells” argument like that doesn’t perfectly describe all life as we know it. You sir are just a clump of cells, can I take your life because you are an unwanted clump of cells?
Early foetal development stages are literal clumps of pluripotent cells. A lot like most medical test matter when it comes to testing mechanisms in human/eukaryotic organisms. What both lack, is Organisation and viability. If we were to follow your argument, we wouldn’t be allowed to use nearly all medication developed in the last 50 years or so. Also: whom would you try for the repeat murder of Henrietta Lacks?
“I” am not a clump of cells. I am the ghost in the machine. A pattern, existing in a biological computer, piloting a meat mech. Once that pattern ceases to exist, “I” cease to exist, even if the meat mech is still fully functional. At that point, what remains is just a clump of cells. Or, more usefully, a collection of spare parts, for other meat mechs.
For many, the key difference between a fetus/baby and a “clump of cells” is the ability to support similar patterns (a soul, if you will). Almost all abortions happen long before the clump of cells develops to the point it can support such a pattern. (Neurons alone aren’t enough, it needs a critical mass and proper wiring)
There is a potential for argument on late term abortions. I agree that should be restricted. Even that, however need to be dealt with with solomness, logic and care, not emotional knee jerking.
That clump of cells would need “conciousness” or the ability to think for itself to be considered sentient, something you apparently lack as well.
There’s the ad hominem. Out of curiosity how do you determine if someone or something has a consciousness, how do you feel about people on life support that are clinically brain dead? How about people in a coma?
Not a great argument. If they’re brain dead then correct, they’re no longer sentient. Therefore I wouldn’t disagree with pulling the plug at all.
If I was braindead with no hope of recovery then I would seriously hope my family pulled the plug. It wouldn’t be me anymore and I would hate to be a drain on resources for nothing.
deleted by creator
I call it an “argument” because it is a very standard and typical “argument” made when debating abortion. Yes we are all clumps of cells and if you google “debunking clump of cells argument” you will find much more intuitive and thoughtfull responses.