so I come back to my challenge for One Brow, as to what distinction makes a person alive, or dead. Is it just chemistry, or is there indeed something else that is fundamental to our existence as living, intelligent humans.
there are many cases of people who have had, to all our science and observation, no reason to be dead except. . . . well, they're dead. Something besides respiration, brain activity, and intact organs in a state of competent organization and function to continue to function.
And just as well, there are many cases of people who have been maintained artificially with one or more organs not functioning. . . . including "brain dead' folks whose peripheral nerve centers and brain stem maintain the necessary vital functions. . . .uhh... well, with the help of nurses changing the bedpans and feeding tubes I suppose.
the fundamental definition of life demands intelligent, coherent, and responsible people to recognize what life is. And legal definitions that protect life as well.
The right to life of a human being is the only foundation upon which any government can have any legitimacy. And some other corollary rights must be attached to being a living person as well.
The things that a living human being may choose to use, or act upon, in pursuing "life, liberty or happiness" surely includes rights to privacy, belief, choosing representatives for necessary government and such. . . . meaningful representation, not lying deceivers who are pretending to serve us while actually serving other interests.
