Scott Rae: What Does It Mean To Be Human? - Do The Right Thing

Updated: 8/4/2024


Summary

Here is a super long paragraph summary of the video: Today we're discussing the ethical implications of how we treat one another as human beings, particularly regarding who gets medical treatment when resources are limited. The principle that every human has profound inherent dignity is at the foundation of ethics, but this is being eroded in various ways. There is ambivalence about the status of the unborn, with abortion still prevalent despite some concessions that unborn babies are persons, while also prosecuting crimes against wanted pregnancies. The treatment of embryos in stem cell research and IVF shows conflicting views on their moral status. At the other end of life, euthanasia and assisted suicide are increasingly accepted, reviving ideas of "lives not worth living" akin to the Nazi euthanasia program. Genetic testing leads to aborting disabled babies, while some select for disabilities. Gender selection is skewing demographics. Fundamentally, the question is who qualifies as a human person with full dignity. Science cannot resolve this; it is a philosophical and theological issue about human nature and the image of God. Our common sense of human identity as an enduring essence, not just functions, points to intrinsic equal dignity regardless of abilities. Rejecting this risks demeaning the most vulnerable through a utilitarian calculus, reviving the ethics of eugenics by sacrificing some for the perceived benefit of others.

The Ethical Dilemma of Medical Treatment

The speaker introduces the ethical implications of how we treat one another as human beings, particularly in the context of rising medical costs and the need to decide who gets treated and who does not. This raises the question of life and death for each individual.

The Sanctity of Human Life

The speaker emphasizes the foundational principle that every human being possesses a profound, inherent, and equal dignity, and a right to life. The question is whether we will stick to this principle or abandon it in favor of a utilitarian view that sacrifices some lives for the sake of others.

The Erosion of Respect for Human Dignity

The speaker highlights the erosion of respect for essential intrinsic human dignity and the sanctity of life in various areas of bioethics, such as abortion, the treatment of unborn children, embryonic stem cell research, assisted suicide, and the treatment of those with genetic and physical challenges.

The Philosophical and Theological Context

The speaker argues that the question of who is a member of the human community is not a scientific question but a philosophical and ultimately theological one. It is rooted in the belief that human beings are created in God's image with intrinsic dignity, without which the concept of human dignity becomes an oxymoron.

Articulating the Essence of Human Personhood

The speaker suggests that our common sense views of a human person suggest that a person is a substance with an internal defining essence and a continuity of personal identity that exists through time and change, rather than being defined solely by the ability to perform certain functions.


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FAQ

Q: What was the ethical dilemma discussed in the video?

The video discussed the ethical implications of how we treat one another as human beings, particularly in the context of rising medical costs and deciding who gets treated and who does not.

Q: What principle was mentioned as the foundation of ethical thinking?

The basic principle that every human being possesses a profound, inherent, and equal dignity and a right to life.

Q: What was the concern raised about the eugenics movement?

The concern was that the eugenics movement, which was associated with using genetic information to determine whether some people have the right to exist, is still present and influencing our thinking, leading us to abandon the sanctity of human life ethic.

Q: What was the issue raised regarding the treatment of unborn children?

There is an ambivalence and inconsistency in our culture regarding the moral and legal status of unborn children, with the law protecting them only if they are wanted by the mother.

Q: What was the central question discussed in relation to defining human personhood?

The central question was: What does it mean to be human, and who qualifies as a member of the human community?