Sam Korn wrote:
Surely there has to be some difference between
using human as a noun
and as an adjective. Using "human" as a noun to
refer to a foetus
(i.e. "a foetus in a womb is a human"), has a
subtle but important
difference to using it as an adjective (i.e. "a
foetus in a womb is
human"). The first implies personhood, the second
does not. Is this a viable compromise?
Using the word "viable" in this context is dubious ;) The problem with making a stink out of the subtle nuances of the English language should be obvious to anyone who tries their best to write in ways which are clearest and most easily translated. "Implication" of "personhood" seems to be the Crux of the Biscuit here... Though we agree: a fetus = "human", (unless its 'tarded, of cs..) and "human" ~ person... yet fetus =/= person, and even: "fetus" ~/~ "person," ...and this contractory logic is supposed to be the basis for: fetus = "human" is thus POV, hence fetus =/= human is thus NPOV ??
...and "just in this context"? I hope people can see how ridiculous that is. Follow the logic problem.
Ryan Delaney ryan.delaney@gmail.com wrote:
Let me put it this way: If you aren't trying to imply that the fetus is a person, then what is the point of saying "A fetus is human"? Everyone knows it is a human fetus. I seriously doubt that you could be taking the time in an ethics article to explain that chimpanzees do not grow in the wombs of human females. If you consider it so trivial to say "A fetus is human", then you shouldn't have to say it at all. The only _possible_ meaningful reading of that sentence, therefore, is POV.
So, "why say it, if its going to be controversial?" Even though not saying "human" would be an endorsement of one view, which de-"human"izes the fetus? The point, again, is that even ardent pro-Choicers can agree that a fetus = human, then why say "that would be POV", "implies personhood" and hence "should be avoided."
There is some linguistic overlap between the uses of "human" and "personhood" as social and legal concepts, and therefore simply avoiding them doesnt really clarify anything.
Sincere regards, SV
__________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com