Abortion :: essays research papers

Abortion is an extremely complex and highly debated public issue that has consumed much of the American social and political arena in the late 20th century. People on both sides of the debate present strong arguments that establish valid points. Society clearly states that child abuse and the murder of ones child is illegal, but does allow abortion. Regardless of whether it is right or wrong, the fine line that exists between abortion and murder will be discussed and debated for decades to come.     In Judith Thomsons article, "A Defense of Abortion," she argues that abortion can be morally justified in some instances, but not all cases. Clearly, in her article, Thomson argues, "while I do argue that abortion is not impermissible, I do not argue that is always permissible" (163). Thomson feels that when a woman has been impregnated due to rape, and when a maternalism threatens the life of a mother, abortion is morally justifiable. In order to he lp readers understand some of the moral dilemmas raised by abortion, Thomson creates numerous stories that possess some(prenominal) of the same problems.     Thomson begins her argument by questioning the validity of the argument proposed by anti-abortion activists. Thomson explains that "most opposition to abortion relies on the premise that the fetus is a kind being.from the moment of conception" (153). Thomson thinks this is a premise that is strongly argued for, although she also feels it is argued for "not well" (153). According to Thomson, anti-abortion proponents argue that fetuses are persons, and since all persons have a right to life, fetuses also posses a right to life. Regardless, Thomson argues that one can grant that the fetus is a person from the moment of conception, with a right to life, and still ascend that abortion can be morally justified. In order to prove this argument Thomson proposes the example of "the sick violini st."     According to this story, Thomson explains, imagine that one morning you force out up and find yourself in bed surgically attached to a famous unconscious violinist. The violinist has a fatal kidney ailment, and your blood type is the sole(prenominal) kind that matches that of the violinist. You have been kidnapped by music lovers and surgically attached to the violinist. If you remove yourself from the violinist, he will die, but the good news is that he only requires gild months to recover. Obviously, Thomson is attempting to create a situation that parallels a woman who has unintentionally become pregnant from a situation such as rape.