Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D.

To the Editor:

Re “Who Apes Whom?” (Op-Ed, Sept. 15):

Frans de Waal compellingly challenges the assumption that there was a point at which humans became radically different from apes. Scientists, he says, should be more open to the continuity between humans, apes and other species.

As a developmental psychologist, I would add that while the assumption of human uniqueness pervades our society, most children do not share it. They initially feel considerable kinship with other animals. Only in the course of socialization do children acquire the belief that humans are very different from and superior to other species.

So although we generally think of adults as much smarter than children, on this subject we would do well to think more like children.

WILLIAM CRAIN

New York

The writer is a professor of psychology at City College, CUNY, and the author of “The Emotional Lives of Animals and Children: Insights From a Farm Sanctuary.”

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Seven-Inning Felix (17-9) has reverted to form. He pitched seven innings, throwing 96 pitches and giving up four runs in a 4-3 loss to Los Angeles of Anaheim, a third-place team. His earned-run average ballooned to 3.55, which is 14th best in the American League. Felix is on track for 18.3 victories.

To the Editor:

Jill Filipovic gets my religion wrong when she says Pope Francis’ recent actions are evidence of some underhanded anti-abortion strategy (“The Pope’s Unforgiving Message,” Op-Ed, Sept. 11).

For the majority of Catholic women who choose abortion, there is absolutely no question of sin. Following your conscience, whether it leads you to birth control, in vitro fertilization or abortion, is good decision-making and morally right as a Catholic.

But if a woman examines her conscience and believes that her decision wasn’t moral—or believes that her decision was right yet finds comfort in forgiveness—it’s our obligation to respect her for wanting that forgiveness. The dictates of our conscience should never lead us to judge another’s.

Women’s autonomy is trusting women and respecting their choices. Interesting how the religious right can share the “I know what women should think” views of some feminist commentators. Abortion is a matter of conscience: The majority of Catholics agree.

JON O’BRIEN

President, Catholics for Choice

Washington

Note from KBJ: What if your conscience tells you that it's permissible to commit murder? Does that make it right? What if a woman exercises her autonomy to kill her one-year-old child? Must that "choice" be respected? This man is so confused it's scary.

The Texas Rangers took over first place tonight with a victory over the Houston Astros. Since the All-Star Game on 14 July, the Rangers are 35-21, which is a winning percentage of 62.5. That computes to 101.25 victories for a full season of 162 games. Go Rangers!

Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky is getting 2.7% of the vote nationally, which is not much more than what members of the Libertarian Party get in presidential elections. (Paul is a libertarian, not a conservative.) Donald Trump is getting 29.8% of the vote nationally. And yet, Rand Paul, who inherited a great deal of his father's craziness, thinks people are interested in what he has to say. They're not. It's time for him to drop out of the presidential race and preferably out of politics altogether.

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