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Critical Analysis of Thomsons Violinist Analogy
The issue of abortion has led to diverse arguments on whether to ban or accept the practice. A critical analysis of an argument has to take into account the supporting evidence provided (Barnet, Bedau, & OHara, 2020a). The accuracy and completeness of the argument are also important because it enhances the interpretations (Barnet, Bedau, & OHara, 2020b). The essay by Judith Jarvis Thomson provides diverse arguments on the issue of abortion. This essay argues that the violinist analogy by Thomson is substantial but not comprehensive enough.
Summary of the Violinist Analogy
Thomson starts by providing views on why a fetus is considered human. Thomson indicates that a fetus gains human characteristics in its early stages of development. Thomsons argument is not focused on discussing whether a fetus is human or not (Thomson, 1976). The violinist analogy is based on a situation where the main character in the analogy is kidnapped to be plugged into a famous violinist (Thomson, 1976). The purpose is for the main character to provide the violinist with the right blood type to aid his recovery. The individual is told that they have to stay plugged with the celebrity for nine months. The condition is that they cannot unplug the two because it would lead to the death of the violinist. Thomson also indicates that the individual cannot leave their bed for nine months. The author suggests that there is a possibility that the main character may stay plugged into the violinist for the rest of their life (Thomson, 1976). Thomson likens this analogy to a woman who is pregnant but does not want to keep the baby. The author questions whether it is fair for someone else to decide what happens to an individuals body.
Critical Analysis of The Violinist Analogy
Thomson makes a substantial argument on why mothers should be given the right to decide whether to keep the baby or not. The author provides a convincing explanation using a metaphor that is easy to understand. The circumstances that lead to the individual being plugged into the violinist can be compared to aspects that result in unwanted pregnancies. The assertion that there is no difference when a person stays in bed for nine months or their whole life is true. This is because unwanted pregnancies that emanate from violent or unfair actions will affect the way the mother perceives the child. For this reason, the argument by Thomson is convincing on the basis that mothers have a right to choose whether to keep the pregnancy or not.
However, the analogy can only be used to analyze pregnancies that emanate from violent acts such as rape. This is because the author indicates that the individual is kidnapped and plugged into the violinist without their consent. The presence of consent would make it difficult for the individual to be unplugged. Consent indicates that a woman accepted to carry a pregnancy which can result in abortion being denied. This shows that the analogy only deals with a small portion of pregnancies. Thomson also creates comparisons that can be confusing to the reader. The author uses words such as clump and small to describe a newly fertilized ovum (Thomson, 1976). These words may create the notion that a newly fertilized ovum is inconsequential and should not be considered human life. A zygote cannot be described as a clump of cells because it is the initial single cell that contains the genetic information of a new individual. The main aim of the author is to show the reader that the initial stages of the development of an unborn child are not important. This then leads to the conclusion that abortion should be permitted. Therefore, the author fails to show to the reader the complexity of the initial stages of the development of life.
Conclusion
In summary, Thomsons essay argues for abortion by providing different scenarios which can be used to understand the push to permit abortion. Thomson provides an analogy that is substantial but not comprehensive enough. The argument made by the author supports the right of mothers to terminate a pregnancy. However, the analogy can only explain pregnancies that result from violent acts such as rape. Thomson also fails to provide clear explanations of the initial stages of the development of a fetus. The author uses words such as small and clumps which are not scientific and which can result in confusion.
References
Barnet, S., Bedau, H. A., & OHara, J. (2020a). Critical thinking, reading, and writing: A brief guide to argument (10th ed., p. 480). Bedford Books of St. Martin Press.
Barnet, S., Bedau, H. A., &; OHara, J. (2020b). Chapter 3. In Critical thinking, reading, and writing: A brief guide to argument (10th ed., pp. 108). essay, Bedford/St. Martins.
Thomson, J. J. (1976). A defense of abortion. In Biomedical ethics and the law (pp. 39-54). Springer, Boston, MA.
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