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(a)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
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