Many anti-choice extremists who believe that personhood rights should be granted to a blastocyst, embryo, or fetus are seriously delusional about the argument that they are attempting to advance. The fetal separatists or personhood movement (which has appeared in Colorado and now Flordia) believe that the "rights" of a non-sentient human embryo trump that rights of an adult woman. But my suspicion is that they don't really believe what they're saying -- that an embryo or fetus is an actualized person. Either that, or they are keeping quiet about the REAL ramifications of granting personhood status to a fertilized egg. Ever wonder why you haven't heard about:
I could go on and on. Reductio ad absurdum makes it transparently clear what the zygotes-as-people folks really want... and what could actually happent to women if legislators ever listen to the PersonhoodUSA lunatics.
The other absurdity is that these fetal separatists think that they are "empowering," "giving a voice to," and "liberating" embryos and fetuses. But how can you empower something that can only exist inside a person's body? How can you give a voice to something that does not have the capacity for thought about its existence or the capacity for consciousness? How do you liberate something that needs sustenance from another person's body to survive? It doesn't make any sense. These people want to segregate the embryo/fetus from the woman's body, which is medically and philosophically impossible. It is also immoral. "Liberation" from the woman's body only happens at birth (when it is possible for independent biological survival). Forced birth, however, will not liberate anyone; it will only oppress women. Forced gestation/forced birth is rape.
People need to learn to recognize the actualized personhood of adult women over the imagined/potential personhood of embryos and fetuses.
Emily,
ReplyDeleteIs this the appropriate place to continue our discussion? This is an excellent blog by the way, beautiful layout, great links, I especially like the essays, particularly "Why I am Pro-Choice", learned quite a few things there. I assume since you've posted the link to her work on your blog that you agree with what she says, including her lines of reasoning, is that fair?
I'd like to restart our discussion with a question for you. In our FB musings you called me a sexist. If you would, I'd appreciate a little exposition on what you mean by that term, I'm not offended, I've been called that many times before, but I've also been told by many women that I am the least sexist man they know. So I am not being facetious, I'm aware of the common definition, I just want to understand what you mean by the term sexist and why you consider me one.
Also wondering about the state of the trade-a-book deal we agreed on at Thanksgiving, I have nearly finished God is not Great and am interested in what you thought about The Tipping Point.
If it suits you, I think it would work well if, after you answer my question, you ask me a question about whatever, then we can go back and forth in that manner. I think that would give a little structure and focus to our musings as well as keep each individual answer a little more focused, and hopefully shorter.
Best to you, say hello to your family for me, Biff
"Is this the appropriate place to continue our discussion?"
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't matter to me whether we continue it on facebook or on here.
"I assume since you've posted the link to her work on your blog that you agree with what she says, including her lines of reasoning, is that fair?"
Yes, I agree with most - if not all - of what she's written.
Regarding the term "sexist" or "sexism" - I think that many people are unaware that some of the views they espouse are sexist or have sexist consequences. I think that the pro-life/anti-choice view is inherently sexist because it places an unequal and unwanted burden on a woman that men do not and can not endure. That is, that she "should" (or "must," for the more extreme pro-lifers out there) always carry to term and give birth no matter what, simply based on the perceived importance of embryonic/fetal life over her own life circumstances.
I think it is also sexist to claim that one is privy to the whiles and "whims" of the opposite gender, in this case women (especially vulnerable women faced with unwanted pregnancy) - as though all women are a collective hive mind with unvarying inner lives and intentions. I would not and do not claim to know something about the whims of men, because I think of men as individual people and do not judge all men as a group.
"I've been called that many times before"
If you've been labeled something many times before (especially something that you disagree with), then perhaps it's worth re-analyzing your beliefs.
"...am interested in what you thought about The Tipping Point."
I will write a thorough review of it on my blog as soon as I'm done reading it. I can't guarantee that it will be nice, though.
"If it suits you, I think it would work well if, after you answer my question, you ask me a question about whatever, then we can go back and forth in that manner."
I'm not really sure what to ask you at the moment. Actually, I have a very general question that I'm not sure you answered on facebook - what is your goal in this discussion? What do you hope or expect to get from this?