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From: z@rocksvax.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.abortion
Subject: Re: Live fetuses
Message-ID: <36500001@rocksvax.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 9-Aug-85 01:02:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: rocksvax.36500001
Posted: Fri Aug  9 01:02:00 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 12-Aug-85 03:53:16 EDT
References: <4100@alice.UUCP>
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Nf-ID: #R:alice:-410000:rocksvax:36500001:000:2418
Nf-From: rocksvax!z    Aug  9 01:02:00 1985

alice!ark writes:
   " For instance, Ayn Rand defines `life' as `self-determined,
    self-sustaining course of action.'"

I am afraid I never read anything by Ayn Rand.  Lets see what the Britannica
World Language Edition of Funk & Wagnalls Dictionary has to say:

(Reprinted without permission)
alive -adj. 1. In a living state, or a state in which the organs perform their
	functions; having life: said of organisms: opposed to *dead*.  2. In
	action, motion, or existence; in force, or operation; in full vigor.
	3. In lively action; in an animated state; sprightly: *alive* with
	enthusiasm.  4. In a condition of attentiveness, sensitiveness,
	or susceptibility; open to impressions.  5. Abounding in life or
	living things: The hive was *alive* with bees.

life -n.  1. That state in which animals and plants exist which distinguishes
	them from inorganic substances and from dead organisms: characterized
	by metabolism and growth, reproduction, and internally initiated
	adaptations to the enviornment.  2. That vital existence, the loss
	of which means death: to give one's *life*.  3. The period of animate
	existence from birth until death, or a part of it.  4. Any conscious
	and intelligent existence: the *life* here and hereafter.  5. Energy
	and animation; spirit; vivacity: to put *life* into an enterprise
	6. A source of liveliness, animation, etc.: to be the *life* of the
	party.  7. That which keeps something alive; the source or essence
	of existence.  8. A living being; a person: Many *lives* were lost.
	9. living things in the aggregate: plant *life*.  10. In art, a
	living figure or semblence: a picture drawn from *life*.  11. The
	course of active human existence; human affairs: daily *life* in
	the city.  12 A certain manner or way of living: the *life* of a
	recluse.  13 *Theol.* A state of spiritual attainment or awareness
	following conversion.  14 A biography.  15 The duration of efficiency
	or usefulness of anything: the *life* of the machine.
(end of reprint)

It is interesting to note Rand's definition fits closely with the
4th alternate definition of life.

Can we now settle on our definitions of words?  If someone wants to change the
meaning please send your correspondence to Funk & Wagnalls.  *This is an
inappropriate forum for discussing changes to the English language.*


//Z\\
James M. Ziobro
Ziobro.Henr@Xerox.COM
{rochester,amd,sunybcs,allegra}!rocksvax!z