A Defense of Abortion - Judith Jarvis Thomson

Judith Jarvis Thomson: A Defense of Abortion

Core Argument

Challenges the assumption that the fetus's right to life automatically makes abortion morally impermissible. Focuses on the rights and autonomy of the pregnant woman.

Granting Personhood

Thomson grants, for the sake of argument, that a fetus is a person from conception. She aims to question whether it automatically follows that abortion is morally impermissible.

Violinist Analogy

Introduces the thought experiment involving an unconscious violinist connected to your kidneys without your consent. This illustrates the conflict between the violinist's right to life and your right to control your body. Asks whether you are obligated to remain connected for nine months.

Right to Life

Explores the meaning of having a right to life. Argues it doesn't guarantee the right to use another person's body, even if needed for survival. Uses the example of needing Henry Fonda's touch to survive, highlighting that needing something for survival doesn't create an obligation for someone else to provide it.

Self-Defense

A woman can defend her life against the threat posed by the unborn child, even if it results in the child's death.

The Extreme View

Challenges the view that abortion is impermissible even to save the mother's life. Thomson contends that additional premises are needed to reach this conclusion.

Mother's Rights

Emphasizes the mother's right to decide what happens to her body. Argues that the mother's rights are often not taken seriously in the abortion debate.

Unjust Killing

Argues that to oppose abortion, it's not enough to show that the fetus is a person with a right to life, but it must be shown that abortion is an unjust killing.

Voluntary Intercourse

Addresses the argument that voluntary intercourse, knowing the possibility of pregnancy, gives the unborn person a right to use the mother's body. Uses analogies like opening a window and a burglar entering to counter this, questioning the extent of responsibility.

Minimally Decent Samaritanism

Introduces the concept of the "Minimally Decent Samaritan" to argue that while one may not be required to make large sacrifices, there's a minimum level of decency. Contrasts this with Good Samaritanism.

Special Responsibility

Addresses the argument that a mother has a special responsibility for her child. Thomson argues that this responsibility is assumed, not automatic, and if assuming it requires large sacrifices, it can be refused.

Nuance

Argues against "general yes or general no" answers, supporting the view that abortion may be permissible in some cases (e.g., rape) but indecent in others (e.g., late-term for trivial reasons).