I mean consciousness in the larger sense -- that is, self-awareness. And
of course I believe that non-self-aware beings have fewer rights. I kill
cockroaches or bacteria without impunity because I know that they are not
self-aware.
So the question is, if a sperm and an egg are not intelligent, self-aware
beings in their own right (at least, not any more than a bacterium), then
at what point do the combination of the two give rise to intelligence and
self-awareness?
>In attempt to answer your question I give
>the following. I read to my son before he was born. At 7 months he would
>start kicking around in the womb when he heard my voice after coming home
>from work. And for bragging purposes he was 10 lbs at birth. Have you
>ever seen fetuses dodge needles in the womb? I dont know where to start or
>begin.
OK, so perhaps self-awareness starts late in the pregnancy, like around the
third trimester. This is why most doctors will not perform third-trimester
abortions unless it's for the safety of the mother, and I agree with that.
Now, what about an earlier pregnancy? For example, do you believe that a zygote
only fertilized two or three weeks ago is a conscious, self-aware being yet?
And if so, how is that possible for something that doesn't even have a
recognizable
brain yet?
_____________________________________________________________
| Russell Stewart |
| http://www.rt66.com/diamond/ |
|_____________________________________________________________|
| Albuquerque, New Mexico | diamond@rt66.com |
|_____________________________|_______________________________|
If Rush is Right, then I'll take what's Left.