Judith Jarvis Thomson Flashcards
Be prepared to explain why Judith Jarvis Thomson is willing (for the sake of argument) to grant the proposition that the fetus is a human being from the moment of conception.
Judith Thomson is willing to assume that the fetus is a human being to focus on the moral and philosophical aspects of abortion rather than the biological debate. She wants to explore whether abortion is morally permissible even if the fetus is fully human. By setting aside the question of when personhood begins, she can argue about bodily rights and the mother’s choice. This approach allows her to address the central ethical issue without getting stuck on definitions or religious beliefs about when life begins.
Be capable of describing “the violinist” thought experiment that Thomson introduces
The violinist thought experiment imagines that you wake up connected to a famous violinist whose life depends on being physically connected to your body for nine months. The idea is that the violinist relies on your body to survive, and you must decide whether to remain connected to them. This connection represents a scenario where your body is being used to sustain another’s life. The experiment explores the moral and ethical implications of this forced connection.
Be able to explain why she thinks this (the violinist) challenges anti-abortion arguments that prohibit abortion absolutely.
Thomson believes the violinist thought experiment challenges anti-abortion arguments because it shows that having the right to life does not mean having the right to use someone else’s body to sustain that life. She argues that forcing a person to stay connected to the violinist, even to save their life, would violate bodily autonomy. This suggests that a pregnant person can morally choose to end a pregnancy even if the fetus is considered a person. It challenges the idea that the right to life always outweighs a person’s right to control their own body.
Be prepared to take a stance on the merits (or lack thereof) of the violinist thought experiment and be capable of explaining why you take that stance.
The violinist thought experiment has merit because it highlights the importance of bodily autonomy in moral and ethical decision-making. It shows that even if a fetus has the right to life, it does not automatically have the right to use a pregnant person’s body to sustain that life. This helps illustrate the idea that pregnancy involves a unique bodily relationship that goes beyond the simple moral claim of “right to life.” Therefore, the thought experiment effectively challenges the idea that abortion should be absolutely prohibited by showing the complexity of consent and bodily rights.
