Posted: Mar 23, 2010 6:47 pm
NineBerry wrote:paceetrate wrote:How about a person with severe brain damage? Would you be ok with killing a human in any cruel fashion you can imagine, because they were mentally incapable of what you call consciousness and suffering, even if they showed all signs of still feeling the pain you were inflicting?
Yes, if they are not conscious and there is no chance of them regaining consciousness, I wouldn't think it to be unethical to inflict pain on them. E.g. a body whose cerebellum and cerebrum are beyond repair could still show reactions to pain and other stimulations, but there is not more consciousness. So, I wouldn't see anything unethical in doing with the body whatever you want.
What about a newborn baby?