>Arbotion: For or Against?
>The origin of the anti-abortion argument displayed in Catholic theology does not come from a desire to protect a life that is believed to already exist. In fact it originates from the Aristotelian philosophy that the true nature of something is in what it has the potential to be. For example the true nature of an acorn is that it will one day become an oak tree. Hence the true nature of a feotus is that it will one day become a person. Is this a valid argument or do you have a better one?
Battison's Blog 
>Ahha but potential to be what – a mother Teresa or a murdurer – the fact is there is know way of knowing. In either case you probably cant blame the feutus for what it has not yet become, so I should say abortion is completely wrong. People get punished all the time for crimes when we havn't even determined whether they are truly responsible (see determism). Having said that maybe the feutus doesn't want life – I sadly know a few people who constantly wish theyd never been born/existed/had concious thought. Again, we just don't have enough info to make any kind of informed decision, so abort or keep it – it really doesn't matter.I used to think life began when the electrons in the brain spark to life (thats how it happens) because I believe that we our essentially our brains, and that the rest of the body is a tool. I still believe this actually. But I maintain abort or keep it – it really doesn't matter.
>I think it does matter, and abortion should be allowed. Let's face it many parents make bad ones, and should never have been parents in the first place. Many people can't afford babies. Many people would blame their babies for the life they believed themselves to have lost because of giving birth. In circumstances like these, if doctors and potential parents agree (yes it should still be difficult, with keeping the baby strongly encouraged) that giving birth would make for unhappy parents and an unhappy child then abortion is for the greater good. It would be selfish to bring a child into the world if you knew you would be giving it an unhappy life if the sole reason you were doing so was to avoid having a bad conscience.
>Damn! My last post didn't go up. Oh well, this is from 'My Ideas for Reform' on the Politics page:In Belfast a woman can only get an abortion if the pregnancy is a serious long term threat toher physical or mental well‐being. The law that applies is the 1861 Offences Against ThePerson Act. This needs reform. Abortion law should state that if the mother, father (does nothave to agree if either he has died, is unable to take a decision, the mother is unaware of hiswhereabouts or the father does not want involvement) and a doctor agrees that continuedpregnancy would be a risk to the physical or mental well being of the mother and/or thechild, the pregnancy is as a result of rape, the mother is under the age of 18 and does notfeel ready or the baby has a severe foetal anomaly. However it is necessary that this subjectbe subject to regional referenda, with options to take some allowances and not others e.g.people can vote whether one doctor or two should be needed, and which circumstances may allow abortion.
>Yes, I'm not arguing with you that most people are bad parents/poor/cant afford them/dont desrve them. The point is, regardless of the abilities of the parents, there is know way to determine whether the baby will enjoy life or not.I believe the feutus/baby is the victim. It is the idiot parents which pass on their problems (but then the children grow up of course and have children – disguisting). Let people do whatever the hell they want. Trying to stop people in Africa breeding is like homer simpson losing weight
>Yes, I'm not arguing with you that most people are bad parents/poor/cant afford them/dont desrve them. The point is, regardless of the abilities of the parents, there is know way to determine whether the baby will enjoy life or not.I believe the feutus/baby is the victim. It is the idiot parents which pass on their problems (but then the children grow up of course and have children – disguisting). Let people do whatever the hell they want. Trying to stop people in Africa breeding is like homer simpson losing weight
>I never said "most people are bad". Bit pessimistic don't you think?We can't say for certain whether a parent will be good or not. But nor can we say for certain most things we do. That should not stop us acting. If both parents and a doctor decide there's likely to be 80% chance that having a baby will ruin the life of the parents and the baby then I think it's fair to say I'd gamble with them.The pro-choice case is certainly the stronger in terms of what's going to produce the best parents. People who fight to get rid of their children are not likely to make the best ones. It's also the strongest argument in terms of population control and the environment. Yet there are many people who want to be parents and are looking for the chance to adopt. And feutuses are alive. The best method of birth control should not be reactive i.e. abortion, but pre-emptive i.e. safe sex. We should not put out a message that we support abortion, and therefore while it should be allowed it should not be made easy to do so. A valid case must be made, and one or two doctors (these should be able to be either normal doctors or psychologists) required to agree.Though if you want to discuss third world countries, the best way to help reduce birth rates is to help their economies. This is proven to lower birth rates considerably.