Violinist Example Would it be morally wrong to unhook violinist, - PDF document

Thomson on Abortion June 10 Thomson on Abortion Good Quiz Question Thomson is mainly writing in defense of abortion, as the title of her essay indicates. But she does not think abortion is morally okay in all cases. Name two situations where Thomson would regard killing the fetus as immoral and briefly explain why she would regard killing the fetus as wrong in those two cases. Bonus point: third situation where abortion is immoral and why. Violinist Example � Would it be morally wrong to unhook violinist, thereby killing him? � Violinist is clearly a person with right to life. � Is staying in bed with violinist morally similar to pregnancy? Abortion When Mother’s Life At Stake (sections 1-2) � OK to kill another person to save own life � If person A is trying to kill B, B can kill A � If person A tells B, “I will kill you unless you kill person C, it’s immoral for B to kill C. � Why? Phil 240: Ethics 1

Thomson on Abortion June 10 But Violinist Isn’t Threatening Mother’s Life When Are We Morally Obligated to Save Life of Another Person? � Minimal decency. – ALWAYS morally obligated to save a life when no real sacrifice – No reference to rights, commitment, invitation. � Right to life. Must examine more carefully what it implies. But Violinist Isn’t Threatening Mother’s Life. How Does Thomson Respond to This? � The fetus is a person. � All persons have a right to life. � (Therefore) The fetus has a right to life. � Therefore killing the fetus is immoral (unless needed to save your life) How Does Thomson Respond? � The fetus is a person. � All persons have a right to life. � (Therefore) The fetus has a right to life. � Needed: an understanding of what the right to life implies � Therefore killing the fetus is immoral Phil 240: Ethics 2

Thomson on Abortion June 10 Two Obligations to Save Lives � Minimal decency: always obligated when the sacrifice is minimal (“no big deal”) – No consideration of rights, justice, invitation – Full term pregnancy is always more than minimal decency, but if pregnancy were an hour or day, minimal decency would require completion. � Respect rights – Completely independent of issues minimal decency – Thomson: fetus has a right to use mother’s body only if she has given fetus that right. – Mother gives fetus right to use her body only if she engages in voluntary sex without good contraception. The Right to Life � As a positive right, it would imply an obligation to give person everything needed to stay alive. – Thomson: neither violinist nor fetus has this right against everyone. – Like Arthur, requires contract or commitment � Negative right: does right to life imply a right NOT to be killed? Reminders for the Essay � Study the checklist items as you write. Make sure you are following them. � The paper with checklist stapled is due at beginning of class on day paper is due. � The checklist must be studied and completed before class starts . Phil 240: Ethics 3