Abortion
is an extremely complex and highly debated public issue that has consumed much of the American social and political arena in the late twentieth century. People on both sides of the debate present strong arguments that establish valid points. Society clearly states that child abuse and the murder of one’s child is illegal, but does allow . Regardless of whether it is right or wrong, the fine line that exists between and murder will be discussed and debated for decades to come.
In Judith Thomson’s article, "A Defense of ," she argues that can be morally justified in some instances, but not all cases. Clearly, in her article, Thomson argues, "…while I do argue that is not ...
Want to read the rest of this paper?
Join Essayworld today to view this entire essay
and over 50,000 other term papers
|
the premise that the fetus is a human being….from the moment of conception" (153). Thomson thinks this is a premise that is strongly argued for, although she also feels it is argued for "not well" (153). According to Thomson, anti- proponents argue that fetuses are persons, and since all persons have a right to life, fetuses also posses a right to life. Regardless, Thomson argues that one can grant that the fetus is a person from the moment of conception, with a right to life, and still prove that can be morally justified. In order to prove this argument Thomson proposes the example of "the sick violinist."
According to this story, Thomson explains, imagine that one morning you wake up and find yourself in bed surgically attached to a famous unconscious violinist. The violinist has a fatal kidney ailment, and your blood type is the only kind that matches that of the violinist. You have been kidnapped by music lovers and surgically attached to the violinist. If you remove ...
Get instant access to over 50,000 essays.
Write better papers. Get better grades.
Already a member? Login
|
in and out of your body (154). Therefore, you are obligated to care for the sick violinist. Yet, most people would find this obligation completely ridiculous, which proves to Thomson that there is something wrong with the logic of the anti-ists’ argument. Thus, Thomson concludes that an individual does have the right to decide what happens to their own body, especially when pregnancy has resulted against a person’s will (rape) and in a manner that violates her rights.
Another story that Thomson utilizes to address the debate is the "people seeds" example. According to this story, one is to imagine that there are "people-seeds" flying around in the air like pollen. An ...
Succeed in your coursework without stepping into a library.
Get access to a growing library of notes, book reports,
and research papers in 2 minutes or less.
|
CITE THIS PAGE:
Abortion. (2007, May 8). Retrieved November 23, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Abortion/64563
"Abortion." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 8 May. 2007. Web. 23 Nov. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Abortion/64563>
"Abortion." Essayworld.com. May 8, 2007. Accessed November 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Abortion/64563.
"Abortion." Essayworld.com. May 8, 2007. Accessed November 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Abortion/64563.
|
Save
Report