What Is Life And When Does It Begin?

In America, one of the polarizing issues and one which the Democrats tried to interject in the recent election was the issue of abortion. In Australia, the problem does not even warrant a mention as an issue in our political discussions. It doesn't mean that it isn't something to be addressed, but there appears to be less angst one way or the other about the issue. Australians are so laid back and obsessed with their sport that sometimes I think nothing else matters besides putting money in one's pocket.

The abortion issue has one fundamental central tenet that is skirted around and never entirely answered. We never clarify when life really begins.

There was a legal case in 1964, Jacobellis v. Ohio. The issue was whether or not a French film, Les Amants (The Lovers), was considered pornography. I've seen that movie by Louis Malle, and by today's standards, it's pretty tame. It was during this legal case that Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart characterized pornography as, "I know it when I see it."

"Life is just one damn thing after another" is a quote attributed to Mark Twain.

We know life has characteristics such as growth, ability to reproduce, and adaptability. But what is the essence of life? Chiropractic philosophy has an answer to this most basic question.