Moniquill
Nonesuch Solo
If arguments from potential are not allowed, then many of us will have to rethink the way we are emotionally affected by news stories about small children suffering.
And are you assuming that anyone here shares those views? I, personally, am not one of those who values children over adults. I am exactly as effected by children sufferign as I am about adults suffering as about animals suffering, because all of it is SUFFERING. And I don't give half a damn about fetal death, because there IS NO SUFFERING on the part of the fetus. Any and all suffering belongs to the woman, her partner, her family. I feel for those individuals. Now prove that any of us here do otherwise.
I am thinking of a few specific individuals who DO feel more sympathy when a young child is killed than when a non-young non-child is killed. Because the child does have great potential for doing good things with its potential future. These people have told me on several occasions "so what if the fetus has potential?"
I find the seemingly contradictory sentiments ironic.
I'm not saying anybody in this particular thread holds this view; "us" is a general "us." Not "Me and anybody reading this post."
I'm pretty sure there's a good chance that at least one of the people in this thread feels more tugs at their heartstrings when a toddler gets attacked by a dog than when a drunk steps out in front of a semi and gets splatted.
Arguing based on suffering, however, is rather effective. Your words did not change my opinion on that matter...