Thomson’s Analogy

In this discussion, you will consider the role of analogy in our moral reasoning about abortion.

Part 1: For this discussion, read the introductory section of ; you need to read only until the section that starts with “1. Let us call.” 

In this article, Judith Jarvis Thomson asks the reader to consider an analogy between a pregnant woman and a woman plugged into an unconscious violinist. In light of the concepts introduced in Chapter 9 of the text, critically evaluate Thomson’s analogy. Is the analogy strong or weak, cogent or uncogent? In what respects? How does this analogy form the basis of the argument Thomson goes on to make?