“Imagine that you are creating a fabric of human destiny with the object of making men happy in the end, giving them peace and rest at last. Imagine that you are doing this but that it is essential and inevitable to torture to death only one tiny creature...in order to found that edifice on its unavenged tears. Would you consent to be the architect on those conditions? Tell me. Tell the truth. “
Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Brothers Karamazov
How important is the life of one?
Is it as valuable as that of all?
For the populous do you sacrifice one on the alter of the sun?
Who have we delegated to make this call?
In war individuals are sent involuntarily to fight
for a nation that stands for individual freedom and liberty
We put criminals to death, considering them a blight
yet preach: judge not, nor take life, forgiveness will set you free
For the fetus do we sacrifice the life of a pregnant mother,
or the life of the child do we trade?
Who has the right to make such choices for another?
Yet choices must be made
From a sinking ship only so many will fit in a life boat
Who goes and who stays?
What qualities are used to choose who remains afloat?
Is it only the one who pays?