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    Michael Sandel argues in 'The Case Against Perfection' th... — Carmelics
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    Supports→A selective mentality in reproduction may lead to conditional rather than unconditional love for children after birth

    Michael Sandel argues in 'The Case Against Perfection' that the drive to mastery in genetic selection erodes the disposition of 'unconditional giftedness' that grounds parental love.

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    1 reason for
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    Reasons For

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    Reason for
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    • 1.Unconditional love requires accepting what we cannot control; designing traits transforms children into projects, making love conditional on meeting specifications.
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    • 2.Historical evidence shows that when we treat others as means to perfect an ideal rather than as ends in themselves, we diminish their inherent dignity and worth.
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    • 3.The psychological shift from 'receiving' to 'constructing' a child fundamentally alters parental stance from humility to mastery, eroding openness to surprise.
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    Reasons Against

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    • 1.Parents already shape children through education, nutrition, and values without undermining love; genetic selection is continuous with existing parental responsibility, not categorically different.
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    • 2.Many parents who use genetic screening report deeper love and commitment precisely because they can address serious disabilities, contradicting the claim that mastery erodes giftedness.
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    • 3.The distinction between 'gift' and 'chosen' is philosophically unstable; even natural children result from parental choice to have children and shape their environment.
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    Key Terms

    Disposition(as used in metaphysics)
    A tendency or potential for something to behave in a certain way under specific conditions—like how sugar has the disposition to dissolve when placed in water.
    Drive to mastery(describing the motivation behind genetic selection)
    The human urge to control and shape things according to our preferences, rather than accepting them as they come.
    Michael Sandel(as a critic of market expansion)
    An American philosopher and political theorist who writes about the dangers of letting market thinking (buying and selling) take over areas of life like healthcare, education, and personal relationships.
    The Case Against Perfection(the specific work being referenced)
    A book by Michael Sandel that argues against using genetic engineering to design 'perfect' children, warning that it could harm what makes us human.
    Unconditional giftedness(the value Sandel believes genetic selection undermines)
    The idea that children are precious gifts we receive without choosing their qualities, rather than products we design or perfect.
    genetic selection(as used in bioethics)
    The process of choosing which genetic traits or characteristics a future person will have, often through technology like IVF or genetic engineering.
    grounds(Used in the context of justifying beliefs about the future on the basis of past information)
    Information or evidence that confers rational entitlement to hold a belief or assumption

    Connections

    2 topics

    Bioethics1 linkedMoral Responsibility1 linked

    Related

    A selective mentality in reproduction may lead to conditional rather than uncond...Historical evidence shows that when we treat others as means to perfect an ideal...

    Details

    Type
    claim
    Perspectives
    2 (1 for, 1 against)
    Edits
    1 edit
    Many parents who use genetic screening report deeper love and commitment precise...
    Parents already shape children through education, nutrition, and values without ...
    +3 moreShow less
    The distinction between 'gift' and 'chosen' is philosophically unstable; even na...The psychological shift from 'receiving' to 'constructing' a child fundamentally...Unconditional love requires accepting what we cannot control; designing traits t...