Benbrack

TLDR: Opportunity determines ability.

Everyone has the ability to succeed, but not necessarily the opportunity to do so. Factors, especially race, unfortunately, can predetermine one’s outcome due to societal nature and the norms and values that exist from the past. On the contrary, factors that disadvantage one can become an opportunity to develop motivation to succeed further, as those born with a ‘silver spoon’ have a tendency to see the world through ‘rose tinted glasses’ and perhaps don’t see the desire to do better. Even though there are advantages and disadvantages to both developing from poverty or having opportunities present themselves without needing to take action, I believe the individual has a vital role in taken part of their own success.

If he was he’d have gotten into that art school now wouldn’t he- to think that if he did his agenda might’ve not been put in place.

There’s a key difference between the phrase “everyone should…” and “everyone should be able to…”, the latter in this case. Unfortunately there’s prejudice towards breaking gender norms within society, more-so amongst older generations. Individualism spans across all of society, yet those use the phrase lightly often follow with ‘to an extent’. Society will evolve through the generations; equality will prevail. For now, we must invite change, act against discrimination and strive for true freedom. Equality has its limits, and in my opinion, it’ll never truly be reached. However, we can gain further to achieve that goal with progression; an equal society.

I like this statement, but I wonder if intelligence and consciousness come hand in hand, or rather one that leads to another. There are specific psychological capabilities that are fundamentally connected to consciousness. Here, it becomes critical to define how consciousness is interpreted, as methodologies across cognitive science, including neuroscience, evolutionary biology or mind philosophies occur across theoretical landscapes. Intelligence varies, a spectrum that is defined on our on intelligence, therefore, does cognitive ability need to uphold our standards to be considered conscious?

This argument can be seen within David Gamez’ study of ‘The Relationship between intelligence and consciousness in Natural and Artificial Systems.’ Here, they draw the conclusion that “Intelligence is a purely functional property; consciousness is not…”
Despite relationships between both intelligence and consciousness, current theories are not defining enough to highlight a striking connection. Thus, the difference between physical and conscious states needs to be considered regarding ‘how you define consciousness’.

Freedom of speech and what is morally acceptable is what forms our societal norms and values; a collective conscience. This is defined as shared ideas, beliefs and moral attitudes, not an individual’s perspective, but rather a collective understand or moral acceptance. Regarding the Law, it is difficult to distinguish freedom of speech from hate speech, as this would violates such legislation. In recent years, the development of anti-discrimination laws have been further defined to ensure security and safety for both minority groups, moreover once abandoned communities. A clear example was when in 2018, Sweden passed a law that protects members of the LGBTQ+ community from discrimination with penalties of up to 3 years in prison. However, many disagreed as they saw that it could infringe on free speech legislation.
Such legislation are implemented in the interests of national security, public safety and prevention of crime and disorder. Perhaps it’s important to consider whether sweeping statements are of a moral or legal nature. Albeit, the nature of this argument is controversial, as criminalising the incitement of threats or violence can question the limits of free speech limitations. Furthermore, to incite reactions, such as efforts of self defence often incurs a ‘criminal response’. Does this therefore demonstrate that the problem lyes the antagonist or the victim? Despite how opinions are subjected to criticism, without such, what are the deciding factors of right and wrong. Personally, anyone is entitled to an opinion, but to air it to cause harm or to antagonise is a form of social injustice in itself.

It is critical to interpret the situations where abortion can be justified. Furthermore, the differentiation between what is considered to be a human life compared to a human being. Scientists are inclined to agree that human cells that possess the human genome are living cells, although this does not convey the idea that life starts at fertilisation. Moreover, this is also the reason that we’re able to differentiate ourselves from animals as we have a higher intellectual capacity and more self awareness. Regardless, biologically speaking, the development of the human brain occurs between 27 to 30 weeks as it begins to mature and resemble that of a newborn child. However, such development and formation of motor-neurones, whilst they can cause reflexes, cannot be represented in the same way as functional connectivity. Essentially, in order to have an intellectual capability to establish self-awareness from that of human beings, even at this point: we are cognitively different without post birth development. An example for which echos such development is a sea cucumber in terms of our reflexes and processing skills. Nevertheless, functional connectivity doesn’t occur until approximately 27 weeks, which is far past the majority of abortion deadlines.

No matter what precautions or federal laws are implemented to try outlaw abortion, as such as any other ‘crime’, people will find a way; desperation often outweighs legality within the criminal justice system. The World Health Organisation has estimated over 47,000 women have died due to unsafe abortion procedures, and an additional 5,000,000 women have been left disabled due to such. It is impossible to ignore a health crisis on this scale that is caused from, what many describe as a huge immoral, social injustice. I believe that these figures are bound to rise if pregnant individuals are unable to be in control of their own bodies.