Introduction
Many authors have offered their opinions and arguments to the continuing discussion about abortion to clarify this complex topic. Don Marquis, Mary Anne Warren, and Judith Jarvis Thomson are three prominent authors in this discussion. While they partly agree that the right to life is essential, their opinions differ on other important issues, notably personhood. This article will examine where these writers agree and where they differ from one another.
Main Body
The significance of the idea of the right to life in the abortion issue is acknowledged by all three writers. They admit that the conflict concerns the rights of the fetus and the expectant mother. The writers’ opinions on the onset of personhood, a crucial element in defining the moral standing of the fetus, disagree. Thomson makes reasons that cast doubt on the notion that personhood starts at conception, whereas Marquis and Warren contend that personhood begins at birth (United 4 Social Change, 2020). They do not believe the connection to be convincing and instead concentrate on the intrinsic worth of human life.
Marquis and Warren believe the fetus deserves moral attention since it has a future similar to ours. They highlight the importance of potential and object to the legality of abortion. Thomson disputes the idea that the fetus has an unqualified right to life and contends that the woman’s autonomy and rights must also be considered. Regarding contraception, Thomson and Warren have opposing opinions. Warren argued that using contraception to avoid unintended pregnancies is ethically acceptable. Thomson’s argument does not explicitly address the topic of contraception.
Judith Jarvis Thomson contests the notion that personhood begins at conception. She uses a variety of examples and thought experiments to show how the right to life is not always superior to a woman’s right to autonomy over her body. Mary Anne Warren makes the case that personhood starts at birth and outlines the qualities that make someone a person, such as consciousness, reason, drive for self-interest, and communication skills. Don Marquis contends that personhood starts at fertilization.
Conclusion
The authors Judith Jarvis Thomson, Mary Anne Warren, and Don Marquis contribute distinct perspectives to the ongoing debate on abortion. While they agree on the importance of the right to life, their disagreements primarily revolve around the concept of personhood and its implications for the fetus’s moral status. Thomson challenges the assumption that personhood begins at conception, emphasizing a woman’s right to autonomy over her body.
Reference
United 4 Social Change. (2020). Thomson’s “A Defense of Abortion” : What’s Meant by “Right to Life?” – Political Philosophy Series [Video]. YouTube. Web.