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Single Idea 4675

[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 2. Population / a. Human population ]

Full Idea

Accepting views about the sanctity of life of the foetus commits us to a policy of drastically increasing the proportion of the population who are seriously abnormal.

Gist of Idea

The sanctity of life doctrine implies a serious increase of abnormality among the population

Source

Jonathan Glover (Causing Death and Saving Lives [1977], §11.7)

Book Ref

Glover,Jonathan: 'Causing Death and Saving Lives' [Penguin 1982], p.149

A Reaction

This is a utilitarian view, and one with which I sympathise. We can't steamroller women's feelings for some greater dream about humanity, but the larger picture is vital to the discussion.

The 5 ideas with the same theme [global issues about the size of human population]:

4675 The sanctity of life doctrine implies a serious increase of abnormality among the population [Glover]
3783 How can utilitarianism decide the ideal population size? [Glover]
18625 To maximise utility should we double the population, even if life somewhat deteriorates? [Kymlicka]
20677 Since 1500 human population has increased fourteenfold, and consumption far more [Harari]
20688 People 300m tons; domesticated animals 700m tons; larger wild animals 100m tons [Harari]