| | Lee,
The short answer is "I calls 'em as I sees 'em", but since you ask so politely I'll stick to criticizing your behaviour:
You began this discussion with:
"I'm ..posting here to provoke thoughtful discussion. It's an ethical question meant to define some of the boundries, if there are any, of the virtue of selfishness."
and
"I am saying a child can lay claim on a parent. And this can be exteneded out to parenting in general."
In the first place you are taking a situation in your scenario where a woman takes it upon herself to become a single mother against the will of the sperm donor father expecting to then lay a claim on the income and time of the unwilling father for perhaps the next couple of decades. You don't want to talk about this "mother", but it is clear that she is acting immorally. She initially didn't want a child, but oops, now she wants one. And, somehow, you claim, her immoral action lays a moral claim on the father. At no time was the man unclear about his desire not to be a father. You then, naturally, get a response to your post outlining the rational options the women can take to avoid the responsibilities of being a single mom. No one is unfamiliar with these scenarios. Abortion, adoption, no problem. But if the "Mother" wants to, you say, she can keep the baby and the man is "morally obligated" to support her and the child. This is so wrong. Many people see that, but all you can do is insult or patronize them. And you want to extend this sloppy thinking to "parenting in general".
You describe yourself as:
"people who ask for rational discourse"
I don't think you are such a person. You are very biased about this issue. It isn't about philosophy is it? Could it be you cannot get yourself on the wrong side of this issue with respect to your wife and her dad? Just a thought. And, you are arrogant and patronizing. That's an observation, not an ad hominem.
As far as George is concerned, you were provoking him. How rational is that? Hong is beloved here, get used to it.
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