On July 23, Terry commented on my "soul infusion" post.
"Of course, all this is highly speculative (unfortunately, the
speculations have some ethical implications with respect to the
abortion issue)."
I agree on both points, of course. A lot of metaphysical speculations are
"highly" so, and those I made may be fairly so characterized. None the less,
I do claim that "science" has something to say about both the ideas of sould
infusion and the resulting ethical position one takes. I do not think it has
a graet deal to say, however, except for thr arguments of limits.
My personal ethical stances, BTW, is that abortion is almost always a grave
wrong. I say "almost always" because it is not too difficult to specify
situations in which it is the lesser of two evils.
My personal stance is that it is also a matter in which the state ought not
to intrude itself in the doctor-patient relationship.
Beyond that I don't really have a position I feel qualified to defend.
"Nonetheless, I think that most of us in the "infusion of the soul"
camp would say that this is a miraculous event due to an intervention
of God. "
Since I consider myself in that "camp," I'd agree. At least I'm in that
"camp" as I consider myself a dualist. There are some very good (to this
point, unpersuasivefor me) arguments for monism, and if I took that
position, I'd probably have to give up the "soul" as a unique entity. It is
my understanding of scripture that it (scripture) can accommodate either
view.
"In other words I'm not so sure that "en-soul-ation" is
something scientifically accessible (say similar to the "new birth").
It may have consequences that are detectable scientifically (a la
Glenn's concerns). If this is the case, then it is not too difficult
to say that God's timing may be different in your three scenarios."
1. "En-soul-ation" occurs at conception for non-twins who have never
twinned.
2. "En-soul-ation" occurs at twinning for twins (who don't join back
together).
3. "En-soul-ation" occurs at fusion for twinned embryos that fuse
back together.
No doubt, you will regard this as horribly ad hoc, but I just don't
see the big problem that you see. "
Yeah, it is somewhat "ad hoc," but I don't see that as "horrible." I am
content to say "I dunno."
"God takes care of it despite all the weird biology (which He is also taking
care of). Surely, you're not going to insist on "clean" answers for this
situation."
Hardly. But that does not mean I will not study more about it. As I said
before, I can say "I dunno" with a clear conscience, but I cannot say "I
will not think about it anymore."
"Psalm 139 applies no matter what."
II have no idea what you mean here. Did something get excised?
Burgy
www.burgy.50megs.com
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