ABSTRACT
The material covered in the following chapters travels over a varied landscape-eugenics, abortion, neonatal care, assisted suicide, lynching, and capital punishment. Why have these topics been brought together in a single volume? The common theme is assessed social worth. In each case, the focus is upon two deeply important moral imperatives: life is sacred and should be protected. Suffering, once detected, should be alleviated. Comparing these otherwise distinct topics, we ask a single question: How do we go about justifying the violation of these deeply important, perhaps universal, moral imperatives, while holding tightly to their importance? The short answer is this: with empathy and logic we draw boundaries and we resolve dilemmas. From time to time science, technology, and crystallizing events disturb, clarify, and inform existing understandings of the implied sense of social worth. New resolutions of dilemmas and definitions of life’s protective boundaries are called for. In this manner moral systems evolve. We will find they do so along a jagged and often contentious path.
