[Celtjew Libertarian]

(1) If I understand you correctly, you support legalized abortion until viability. "Viability" is not a measure of the humanity or moral worthiness of the conceived child; rather, it is a measure of the efficiency of the child's support systems, both maternal and technological.

Actually, that is the point where I believe a fetus becomes a human being. I'd expand on my reasons for that, but I don't have the time for a long answer at the moment.

That said, before the point of viability, a fetus deserves respect as a potential human. Morally, I believe abortion should be the last resort for extraordinary cases. However, I don't believe law should be based on morality, but on rights. As a potential human, a pre-viable fetus does not yet have those rights.

(2) Do you believe there is such a thing as "parental responsibility"? Does it exist for male as well as female parents? If so, when, how, and why does it arise in the case of the father of the child?

I believe in parental responsibility.... As for the father, I generally take it on a case-by-case basis.... Put it this way: I'm the step-father of a young woman, for whom I'm quite glad the genetic father did not take responsibility.

[Mrs. Don-o]

I'm sorry you didn't have time to explain why viability -- which measures, not the humanity of the conceived child, but the adequacy of the support system --- would be a boundary between human and not-human. But kindly bookmark this so you can explain later, when you do have time. I really am interested.

The key to "personhood" cannot be that an individual possesses an optimally developed, continuously-exhibited rational mind. None of us do.

Rationality is inherited as an active potential --- something which, given proper nurture, support, and environment, can be expected to develop over time.

And no matter how well-developed it is, it is never exercised continuously. Our experience of it is intermittent.

It is hard to directly measure at any stage; even when we are fetuses, neonates, toddlers, and small children --- as well as in my 92-year-old father--- episodes of identifiably rational thinking are rare. My own rational mind is not manifest before my first cup of coffee in the morning. Nevertheless, at every age and stage we possess our genetic human identity: and human rights begin where human life begins.

Human identity is genetic, not performance-oriented. And human dignity extends to any being which belongs to the rational kind. That includes humankind: every man and woman, and all of their offspring. And upon these criteria, it would also include hobbits, dwarves, elves, wizards, vulcans, romulans, klingons, cardassians, and any other species we may run into which possesses even potential or intermittent intelligence. (Speaking hypothetically, of course: ref. LOTR and Star Trek.)

And all of their offspring.

:^)