Answered>Order 6716
In Judith Jarvis Thomson’s A defense of abortion
- On Thomson’s view, even if the fetus is granted the right to life, abortion is permissible in cases of rape. Carefully explain this view, including the thought-experiment of the ill violinist.
- Some people think that a woman may be justified in harming a fetus that is a threat (because she has a right to life, and thus a right to self-defense). But many of these people also think that no third party could be justified in assisting the woman, because there is no basis upon which to choose between her and the fetus. Carefully explain Thomson’s response to this challenge. [There is no need to explain the view described in this question.]
- On Thomson’s view, even if the fetus is granted the right to life, even if the pregnancy is not the result of rape, and even if the woman’s life is not in danger, abortion may still be morally permissible. Using either the burglar thought-experiment or the one with the ‘pod-person’, explain her argument and how it applies to a real-life circumstance.
- Explain Thomson’s position on moral decency in regard to abortion.
"Not answered?"
