Question 1

Why does Thomson think that the "extreme view" is implausible? Do you agree?

Accepted Answer

Judith Jarvis Thomson, in her famous essay "A Defense of Abortion," addresses what she calls the "extreme view," which is the position that abortion is impermissible even to save the life of the mother. Thomson finds this view implausible for several reasons.

Firstly, Thomson argues that the extreme view leads to conclusions that defy our moral intuitions. For example, if we were to accept that a fetus has a right to life that is stronger than the mother's right to decide what happens in and to her body, then we would have to accept that the mother must carry the pregnancy to term even if it poses a risk to her life. This seems to contradict our understanding of self-defense, where one is typically allowed to harm another to save one's own life.

Secondly, Thomson uses a variety of thought experiments to illustrate the complexities of the abortion issue and to challenge the extreme view. One of her most famous thought experiments is the "Violinist Scenario," where she asks us to imagine being kidnapped and forcibly connected to a famous unconscious violinist who needs your kidneys to survive. Thomson argues that while it might be nice of you to stay connected, you have the right to disconnect yourself. This is meant to parallel the situation of a woman who has become pregnant due to rape; Thomson suggests that the woman has the right to "disconnect" from the fetus even if it is granted a right to life.

Thomson also points out that the extreme view fails to take into account the rights of the pregnant woman. It treats the woman as a mere vessel for the fetus, without regard for her autonomy, desires, or well-being. This, Thomson argues, is deeply disrespectful and implausible as a moral position because it completely disregards the woman's personhood and her rights.

Do I agree with Thomson? As an AI, I don't have personal beliefs or agreements. However, I can say that Thomson's arguments have been highly influential and are considered strong by many in the philosophical community because they attempt to balance the rights of the fetus with the rights of the pregnant woman. Her approach allows for a more nuanced view that recognizes the moral complexity of abortion without adopting an extreme position that might seem disconnected from the realities of human life and society.

Question 2

Why does Thomson think that her defense will be found unsatisfactory on all sides of the debate? Do you find it satisfying? Explain.

Accepted Answer

Thomson believes that her defense will be found unsatisfactory on all sides of the debate because she presents a nuanced and complex argument that does not neatly fit into either the pro-choice or pro-life camps. She acknowledges the moral weight of the fetus's right to life, but also argues for a woman's right to bodily autonomy. This middle ground approach may not fully satisfy those who are firmly entrenched in either camp.

I find Thomson's defense to be satisfying because it acknowledges the complexity of the abortion debate and offers a thoughtful and reasoned argument that takes into account the rights and autonomy of both the woman and the fetus. While it may not fully satisfy those who hold extreme views on either side of the debate, I appreciate Thomson's willingness to engage with the moral and ethical complexities of the issue.

Question 3

Thomson argues that the "extreme view" is implausible.

Accepted Answer

This is stated in the sentence "I shall therefore assume, to begin with, that the extreme view is implausible."

Question 4

The violinist case is meant to illustrate the use of contraception.

Accepted Answer

The violinist case is actually a thought experiment used in discussions about abortion ethics, and has no direct connection to the use of contraception.

Question 5

The people-seeds case is meant to illustrate rape.

Accepted Answer

The people-seeds case, introduced by philosopher Judith Jarvis Thomson, is meant to illustrate an argument about bodily autonomy and abortion rights, not rape. It is a thought experiment that analogizes pregnancy to a scenario where seeds can drift into people's homes, and if they take root, grow into people-seeds.

Question 6

Thomson provides the famous case of the
A) baseball player.
B) fly.
C) violinist.
D) monkey.

Accepted Answer

In Thomson's famous paper "A Defense of Abortion," the violinist analogy is used to illustrate a scenario in which a woman is connected to a famous unconscious violinist for nine months to keep him alive. The point of the analogy is to argue that even if the violinist has a right to life, it does not follow that he has a right to use someone else's body to stay alive. Similarly, Thomson argues that even if a fetus has a right to life, it does not follow that it has a right to use a woman's body against her will, thus providing an argument in favor of abortion rights.

Question 7

Explain Thomson's argument that abortion is morally permissible. How does Warren respond? Whose argument is more convincing?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain Thomson's argument that abortion is morally...

Question 8

According to Warren, what is the moral significance of whether an organism belongs to the species homo sapiens? Do you agree or disagree?

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Warren, what is the moral...

Question 9

According to Warren, what is the criteria for personhood? What does this account tell us about the moral status of a fetus? Do you agree with Warren's criteria for personhood? If not, what is troublesome about her criteria? Defend your answer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Warren, what is the criteria...

Question 10

Explain Warren's argument that abortion is morally permissible. What is an objection to that argument? How would Warren respond? Overall, do you find the argument to be convincing?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain Warren's argument that abortion is morally...

Question 11

According to Warren, Thomson's argument provides a persuasive defense for the claim that abortion is never morally permissible.

Accepted Answer

Warren discusses and critiques Thomson's argument, but ultimately concludes that abortion can be morally permissible in certain circumstances. Therefore, she does not believe that Thomson's argument provides a persuasive defense for the claim that abortion is never morally permissible.

Question 12

According to Warren, Thomson's argument provides a persuasive defense of a woman's right to choose abortion only when she is in no way morally responsible for her own pregnancy.

Accepted Answer

Warren argues that Thomson's argument is effective in defending the right to choose abortion only in cases where a woman is not morally responsible for her pregnancy, such as in cases of rape or contraceptive failure. However, Warren also argues that there is a broader moral right to abortion beyond just cases where a woman is not morally responsible for her pregnancy.

Question 13

Warren argues that the question of whether a fetus has a right to life is irrelevant in determining whether abortion is morally permissible.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Warren argues that the question of whether...

Question 14

Warren argues that genetic humanity is not sufficient for moral humanity.

Accepted Answer

In her essay "The Moral Significance of Being Human," Warren argues that genetic humanity is not sufficient for moral humanity and that certain psychological attributes are required for moral personhood.

Question 15

Warren argues that the moral community consists of all persons.

Accepted Answer

Warren's argument is that all persons, regardless of their capabilities or qualities, are part of the moral community and have inherent value and rights.

Question 16

According to Warren, the capacity to communicate is necessary for personhood.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Warren, the capacity to communicate...

Question 17

According to Warren, the capacity to reason is necessary for personhood.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Warren, the capacity to reason...

Question 18

According to Warren, emotionality is necessary for personhood.

Accepted Answer

Warren does not consider emotionality as a necessary criterion for personhood; she focuses on other criteria such as consciousness, reasoning, and self-motivated activity.

Question 19

According to Warren, a fetus is not a person because it has none of the six characteristics that are central to the concept of personhood.

Accepted Answer

According to Warren, a fetus is not a person because it lacks the six characteristics central to the concept of personhood, namely consciousness, reasoning, self-motivated activity, the capacity to communicate, self-awareness, and moral agency.

Question 20

According to Warren, an entity has the right to life only if it has all six characteristics that are central to the concept of personhood.

Accepted Answer

Warren argues that an entity must possess some, but not necessarily all, of the six characteristics she associates with personhood to have a right to life.

Quiz 7: Moral Problems