Bodily integrity, the idea that the physical body is inviolable, emphasizing the right people have to their own body. This is Judith Thomson’s main argument in the defense of abortion and how it is permissible in some cases. In “ A Defense of Abortion”, by Thomson she claims that abortion is permissible in some cases when using bodily integrity as their defense. She states that the right to life is not an absolute right. Therefore, in some cases abortion is morally permissible. She uses an analogy to emphasize her points and make it easy to identify with them. In using various scenarios with different factors, she defends her claim in a way that is easy for the reader to understand. However, I find her claim to be easily dismissed in the
…show more content…
Neglecting to establish what makes it a person and the step from there to the impermissibility of abortion. “ Newly Fertilized ovum, a newly implanted clump of cells, is no more a person than an acorn is an oak tree…” . For the sake of the paper, Thomson agrees to acknowledge that drawing a line in which determining a fetus becomes a human is a dim and most likely will stay at a stalled debate forever. “ I am inclined to think also that we shall probably have to agree that the fetus has already become a human person…”. From this moment, Thomson launches into an analogy in which she asks you to imagine this. You wake up and discover that you’re attached to an unconscious well renowned violinist. He is suffering from a failing kidney and the only match with the right blood type is you. Therefore, his fan base has decided to kidnap you and plug your circulatory system into his. In doing so, the poison will be extracted by the work of your kidneys. The director of the hospital informs you that he is sorry that the fans have done this to you and would not have permitted it if he had known. However, to unplug you would surely cause the violinist to die. Nine months is all that is needed to help the …show more content…
Thomsons clearly states that she believes, “ a newly implanted clump of cells..” cannot be considered a human. Although it can be clearly read in medical books that only machines come into existence part by part. Human beings come into existence all at once, and continue to grow and show their unlimited amount of potential throughout their lifetime. That clump of cell no matter the intellectual ability, size, or weight has a right to life simply because it is a living organism. Bodily integrity is a strong argument when it comes to abortion, however, at the moment of sexual intercourse we consciously submit that right to be nolin void. When we make the conscious and clear decision to engage in an act that may result in pregnancy then it is no longer a strong argument. While the baby needs your body for growth, nine months is a relatively small amount of time compared to the lifetime you're given. Unless the mother's life is in danger, or the baby is a product of rape I think women should have to take responsibility for their actions. I think it is important to note Newton's third law, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Although not pertaining to physics, it is crucial to understand that every action has a reaction; consciously engaging in an action automatically makes you responsible for any consequence or reaction that may happen. Like many parents may tell you,
Neglecting to establish what makes it a person and the step from there to the impermissibility of abortion. “ Newly Fertilized ovum, a newly implanted clump of cells, is no more a person than an acorn is an oak tree…” . For the sake of the paper, Thomson agrees to acknowledge that drawing a line in which determining a fetus becomes a human is a dim and most likely will stay at a stalled debate forever. “ I am inclined to think also that we shall probably have to agree that the fetus has already become a human person…”. From this moment, Thomson launches into an analogy in which she asks you to imagine this. You wake up and discover that you’re attached to an unconscious well renowned violinist. He is suffering from a failing kidney and the only match with the right blood type is you. Therefore, his fan base has decided to kidnap you and plug your circulatory system into his. In doing so, the poison will be extracted by the work of your kidneys. The director of the hospital informs you that he is sorry that the fans have done this to you and would not have permitted it if he had known. However, to unplug you would surely cause the violinist to die. Nine months is all that is needed to help the …show more content…
Thomsons clearly states that she believes, “ a newly implanted clump of cells..” cannot be considered a human. Although it can be clearly read in medical books that only machines come into existence part by part. Human beings come into existence all at once, and continue to grow and show their unlimited amount of potential throughout their lifetime. That clump of cell no matter the intellectual ability, size, or weight has a right to life simply because it is a living organism. Bodily integrity is a strong argument when it comes to abortion, however, at the moment of sexual intercourse we consciously submit that right to be nolin void. When we make the conscious and clear decision to engage in an act that may result in pregnancy then it is no longer a strong argument. While the baby needs your body for growth, nine months is a relatively small amount of time compared to the lifetime you're given. Unless the mother's life is in danger, or the baby is a product of rape I think women should have to take responsibility for their actions. I think it is important to note Newton's third law, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Although not pertaining to physics, it is crucial to understand that every action has a reaction; consciously engaging in an action automatically makes you responsible for any consequence or reaction that may happen. Like many parents may tell you,