"But beyond this, I think there's a misunderstanding of political character and by extension human nature that I find difficult to put into words - but it has to do with the idea that the public life is to be a revelation of the complete personality. For reasons I feel I can't explain properly, I sense a whiff of something deeply illiberal about this. "

Shuggy, you are on to something and, happily, someone else has put it into words for you. Have a look at Richard Sennett's "The Fall of Public Man" which is an exploration of just this sort of thing. Recommended by Chris Dillow on his blog some time ago and well worth the time.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fall-Pub...20432534&sr=8- 3
John Meredith | 09.03.08 - 10:09 am | #

"there is no philosophical connection between the belief that women should be treated equally in society - in employment and relationships - and the one that insists that the foetus is merely an extension of a woman's body"

Women should be treated the same as men are when they get pregnant then.

Since no man has ever carried a child to term, clearly women shouldn't have to either. QED.


dirigible | 09.03.08 - 3:50 pm | #

I read your piece before I read Chris Dillow's link to a piece called Palinanities from an atheist left perspective.

Read that, and the comments below, which are breathtaking in the contempt displayed for the beliefs of the views of many Americans, and weep. Why do so many on the rationalist left despise so many of their fellow citizens?

Don't Marxists remember the other part of Marx's quote on religion 'the heart of a heartless world"?
tolkein | 09.03.08 - 11:25 pm | #

I support the right of women to remain in control of their own bodies. Women are not just plant pots, in which the next generation of plant pots is incubated. That is why I support universal access to contraception, and sterilisation.

From the same standpoint, I no longer support easy access to abortion for women who didn't bother to exercise control over their own bodies when they had the chance.

If you want the right to drive a car, it brings a reponsibility to keep your hands on the steering wheel and look where you're going.
Monty | 09.05.08 - 11:16 pm | #

"If you want the right to drive a car, it brings a reponsibility to keep your hands on the steering wheel and look where you're going."

*facepalm*
Paulie | Homepage | 10.01.08 - 11:55 pm | #