Thomson's Allegory for Abortion Rights

Article Review # 103971

English > Analysis
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A review of the arguments presented in Judith Jarvis Thomson's article, "A Defense of Abortion."

839 words () | 1 source | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper provides the ethical background to Judith Jarvis Thomson's allegory of the violinist and the woman in regards to the right to life for pregnant mothers who need abortions in mortal circumstances. The paper discusses the arguments in Thomson's article, "A Defense of Abortion", and concludes that Thomson provides an ethically sound argument for abortion rights.

From the Paper:

"In conclusion, the allegory of the violinist provides a rational and moral argument for abortion that takes the mother's life into account before the child within her. The immediate threat to life and the choice of keeping the mother alive is a valid argument, since she has not consciously disregard the child's life simply out of inconvenience. The premise of Thomson's logic resides on questioning the issue of murder for abortion, since the mother's life is just as valuable (if not more), than the unborn fetus that resides within her. In this manner, Thomson makes a rational and ethical argument through the premise of the violinist allegory in this article."

Sample of Sources Used:

Thomson, J. J. (year). A defense of abortion. Reprinted in "Intervention and Reflection: Basic Issues in Medical Ethics," 5th ed., ed. Ronald Munson (Belmont; Wadsworth 1996). pp 69-80

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APA Citation:

Thomson's Allegory for Abortion Rights (2012, January 15). Retrieved February 10, 2012, from http://www.academon.com/Article-Review-Thomson's-Allegory-for-Abortion-Rights/103971

MLA Citation:

"Thomson's Allegory for Abortion Rights" 15 January 2012. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. <http://www.academon.com/Article-Review-Thomson's-Allegory-for-Abortion-Rights/103971>