Applying Philosophic Principles to the Abortion Debate

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Points of Discussion
Let's discuss the politically contentious subject of abortion from the perspective of the philosophic issues that bear on the answer to the question of when a human life, requiring the protection of the government, begins. Some ideas we can discuss:

Considerations in defining when a human life begins:

• The Aristotelian doctrine of potentiality vs. actuality
• The epistemological status of borderline cases when defining a concept
• The nature and requirements of human consciousness

Considerations in regards to the practice of abortion:

• Human life as a value
• Objections on religious grounds
• Applying the doctrine of individual rights to abortion
• Moral standards vs. legal standards

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Our Meetup location, Le Pain Quotidien, is a private business; so that our group remains welcome, please don't arrive with beverages purchased from outside, and please be willing to purchase at least one beverage or menu item during the event.

AN IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING NO-SHOWS
Unfortunately, there is a longstanding problem in our group with large numbers of people who sign up frivolously and neither cancel nor show up, leading to large waiting lists of others who lose their opportunity to attend. Please note that going forward, those who sign up and neither cancel nor show up will be permanently removed from the group. Also, if you need to cancel, please have the courtesy to give at least 24 hours' advance notice rather than canceling immediately before the event, so those on the waiting list have an opportunity to attend.