Dawkins sparks outrage for saying Down Syndrome babies should be aborted

[Aractus]

Lower cognitive abilities than who? Non-disabled people who've since suffered severe brain damage in a car accident??

Than the average person, of course.

Also, I've got a family member who is employed rehabilitating a TBI patient. Saying that her patient isn't disabled doesn't make sense; a TBI patient is almost always disabled.

Are you really thinking your position through? I'm not trying to be argumentative, but your analogy doesn't hold up under scrutiny.

Comparing one group of people to another and passing judgement is the road to social-darwinism and laissez-faire, and it isn't healthy for society.

The values upon which our modern societies are built are, in a nutshell, opportunity and equity for all. For ALL. The laissez-faire model would keep the working-class as peasants for the rich to abuse to their benefit. But as we now know it is to the benefit of the rich that the working-class be prosperous as well.

My argument, that you have not understood, is that all humans in a society have equal value. Equal. They should be afforded the respect, given the same resources and each according to their need. If someone is sick, he is given healthcare. If someone is uneducated, he's given an education. If someone has a disability he is given care. If someone is unable to work due to a disability he is give financial-support. Each according to his need.

The problem is there's a gap, and the disabled are presently disadvantaged when they ort not to be. The social-darwinist view would say that they're a "drain on society". They are actually a part of society. And as a part they have value, they're a resource, and if they need support then they should be given support according to their needs.

Saying that any disabled person should be aborted as a foetus whereever possible is perpetuating the view that these people are a problem for society, that they're a drain on society and that they shouldn't be supported from the "public purse".

No you're not getting it. My point is that judging others for their congestive ability, or generally just for being "not normal" is not healthy for society.

It is not a "judgment". It is an analysis of the facts at hand.

It is a judgement and it's no different to the laissez-faire or eugenic ideologies.

A person with Down's Syndrome doesn't live a life of misery, pain and suffering. They are fully capable of living fulfilling wholesome lives, enjoying every day and contributing to society.