Judith Jarvis Thomson

Paper Topics—PHI 292

Deadline: Tuesday, April 22

Draft Deadline: Tuesday, April 15

Answer one and only one of the following numbered questions. Please ensure that you answer each part of the numbered question you select to answer. Your essay needs to be typewritten, in black ink, double-spaced, with one-inch margins on all sides. You must either use MLA or CMS style. I prefer Times New Roman font, size twelve. Lastly, your essay needs to be at least four FULL pages in length, but the essay should not exceed six pages. If you should have any questions, please let me know.

1. Judith Jarvis Thomson observes that a fetus is no more a person than is an acorn an oak tree. Assume that she is absolutely right about that. Now, consider to what extent, if any, abortion remains a controversial issue even if this assumption is granted. In other words, just as Thomson grants (for the sake of argument) a right to life to the fetus and then argues for abortion, grant Thomson her analogy, and then consider whether or not there are any complications that remain. If there are any, identify them. If there are none, be sure to explain why. This question requires that you look seriously at the implications of Thomson’s analogy.