Key Arguments in Judith Thomson's A Defense of Abortion

Judith Thomson: A Defense of Abortion

Judith Thomson article simply outlines the right of abortion with women. Judith presents the argument that everyone has a right to life. However, throughout the article she underlines key arguments and give multiple examples and analogies to further prove her point. Thomson began by saying that because everyone has a right to life, it is automatically assumed that the fetus is a person, and therefore has a right to life. Furthermore, the mother does have a right and say so to what she wants to happen to her body, however, it is argued that a person's right to life is stronger than a mother's right to decide what happens to her body, concluding that the fetus may not be killed and an abortion cannot be performed. Judith gives the other side of the argument throughout the article and picks up all the flaws of the main argument that everyone makes.

The first analogy that she provides, questions the exception of the case of rape versus the fetus's right to life. She provides an example where a person is kidnapped by a group called the Society of Music Lovers. The Society of Music Lovers plugs that person up to a famous unconscious violinist that has been found to have a kidney failure ailment. In this situation the person has the right to say unplug me however, many would look at it as it's the person deed to supply ailment for the violinist. She ties this example with the argument of the case of rape versus the right to life by giving reasoning why the argument would not work in the case of rape and that it is morally wrong. The same way the person was kidnapped by the Society of Music Lovers, is the same way other females in the world get kidnapped and raped. However, she makes it clear that there can be numerous arguments that can make exceptions for this particular argument she first stated. Judith presents exceptions such that rape can be took into consideration as well as, the continuation of pregnancy can