Single Idea 4695

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / F. Life Issues / 3. Abortion]

Full Idea

Thomson suggests that abortion can be justified without the need to deny that the foetus has the moral rights of a human person.

Gist of Idea

Maybe abortion can be justified despite the foetus having full human rights

Source

report of Judith (Jarvis) Thomson (A Defense of Abortion [1971]) by Philippa Foot - Killing and Letting Die p.86

Book Reference

Foot,Philippa: 'Moral Dilemmas' [OUP 2002], p.86


A Reaction

Thomson uses a dubious analogy between pregnancy and being hooked up to someone for life-support. Presumably killing an innocent person is occasionally justifiable, but the situation would normally be more abnormal than pregnancy.