(February 5, 2013 at 2:32 am)rexbeccarox Wrote: I totally agree with you. I'm just saying, that for the most part, prepubescent boys aren't usually equipped to deal with a decision like that. Especially when it comes down to something as arbitrary as making sounds come out of his body, although believe me- I know how tough and beautiful it is. However it is not a decision relevant to his day and age, being that there isn't a call for that sort of art because the art form the OP highlighted is outdated, and would likely not bring the money that it used to. Add to that, castration is rarely a solution for physical health any longer.
I agree with you; some kids are capable of deciding for themselves, but largely, IMO, the castration of prepubescent boys is unethical. Preteens and teens aren't exactly known for making the best decisions.
It's not outdated. It's just impossible in this era. There is defintely a need for castrati in the early music field. We've replicated (to the best of our knowledge) every other aspect of historical performance: gut strings, old bows, early tunings, harpsichords, gambas, recorders, etc. but castrati are out of reach.
To everyone:
What needs to be addressed is what sort choices exactly should children be allowed to make? We let them make lots of choices already.
What needs to be answered:
1. Why is a complete understanding of what is at stake something that should be required when making a choice? Like I said, we already let kids choose interests and activities that could significantly affect them either postively or negatively into adult hood. Kids don't fully understand that but we do. Try to avoid special pleading in answering this.
2. What is it exactly that makes the loss of sexual reproduction so different from other negative consequences that could result from a choice? Try to avoid special pleading.
3. Would the loss of sexual reproduction necessarily even be regretted in adulthood by the person? Perhaps to that person, the singing career would've been worth it.
My ignore list
"The lord doesn't work in mysterious ways, but in ways that are indistinguishable from his nonexistence."
-- George Yorgo Veenhuyzen quoted by John W. Loftus in The End of Christianity (p. 103).
"The lord doesn't work in mysterious ways, but in ways that are indistinguishable from his nonexistence."
-- George Yorgo Veenhuyzen quoted by John W. Loftus in The End of Christianity (p. 103).
