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Response Paper #1
Bridget Propst
School of Nursing, Liberty University
PHIL 380: Biomedical Ethics
Dr. Foreman
October 5, 2021
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Section #1
Throughout her entire argument Thompson makes great points and uses fantastic
argument stances to advocate her point across. The one thing I had to re-read multiple times to
fully understand the connection was her “unplugging the violinist” analogy. Now Thompson
used other analogies and situations throughout her argument of the article, and I believed that
those become beneficial in her argument. But I do believe the one thing that was not as beneficial
was the “unplugging the violinist” analogy. I only say that it is not as beneficial due to me just
having a more a trouble understanding but that is only from my viewpoint. But the examples she
uses for scenarios I believe helped her argument be so convincing. But after reading through a
few times, I believe her analogy can be useful and very much advocate her point across to
readers.
Section #2
Looking at Thompson writing on Defense Against Abortion in a way of ignoring my own
beliefs on this topic, I believe she did magnificent job for advocating on the right and belief that
abortion should be accepted. Throughout section four of the article, she uses situations and
analogies to help bring understanding the audience and pursue them that abortion should be
accepted. She used emendation in question form to help alter and change the minds of readers.
She uses the argument of invitation to advocate her viewpoint. She makes point such as, “might
be argued that there are other ways one can have acquired a right to the use of another person’s
body than by having been invited to use it by that person” (Thompson, pg. 7) To answer this such
questions she uses the example of women voluntarily indulge in intercourse and becomes
pregnant and response with advocating her side. I believe why Thompson can be as persuasive in
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this article is due to the consistent questions and answers, including details on both sides of the
arguments, and how quickly she answers and moves onto the next topic or question. In reading
the article you must reread a paragraph to get greater understanding of what Thompson is trying
to point out exactly. Her strategies of writing were use quite well when advocating for her
argument. She made great points advocating just because a women participated in the sexual
intercourse does not mean she stuck with the responsibility of a child for the rest of her life. But
she also covers the section of the possibility the sexual intercourse was not consented like
situation of rape. Thompson ends section four for a conclusion of her discussion of the unborn
person have the right to use the mother’s body. The reason I believe the argument would be on
her side since she establishes that it possibly could be dependent case by case and that at this
rate, we can certainly see that not all abortion is unjust killing.
Section #3
Thompson believes that we do not have “special responsibility” unless we have assumed
it or implicated it onto ourselves. She also mentions that both men and women are compelled by
the law to provide support to their children if they assume that responsibility. In this section I do
believe she has done some of her argument well. She simply implies once we take responsibility,
we cannot simply withdraw any support. But if we take all precautions against having a child,
she mentions by virtue of they do not have to have responsibility to have it or take care of it.
Though I believe against, in section seven she makes points that can be quite convincing. I do
believe there is some error to her points in this section. You could also argue that we obtain
responsibilities in life when we do not want them, in this circumstance we could apply that. She
concludes section seven with saying that if you assume responsibility for it would require large
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sacrifices, so you may refuse responsibility making the abortion okay. I believe that parenthood
is much more important with pregnancy than the violinist illustration. Though I see how
Thompson is using this illustration and it is a good tactic of using this illustration to compare
along with her argument. Though using an illustration tactic is good, I do believe the one area
that I have trouble with is violinist illustration. Parenthood and taking care a baby in womb and
once it is birth is just a responsibility we cannot compare or imagine until we have come to such
point in our lives.
Section #4
She believes when it unjustifiable when the persons have assumed responsibility for such fetus.
Until they have assumed the “special responsibility” they are not consider responsible for the
child and can decide whatever route they choose to continue their own life. In the last section of
the argument Thompson advocates that she is arguing for the permissibility of abortion in some
cases, not arguing for the right to secure the death of the unborn child. She is advocating for her
side of the argument and for the difference between just death of unborn children and the right to
have abortion in some cases. I believe that Thompson is quite consistent of what she is
advocating throughout her argument. She makes her point very clear and across using her
“unplugging the violinist” analogies and other situations to help advocate her points.
