Discuss Thomson’s People Seeds analogy and its associated reasoning
Thomson’s article, A Defense of Abortion, is famous/infamous for its many examples of argument-by-analogy. Each analogy and bundle of associated reasoning is focused on a particular situation where abortion might be considered, e.g., abortion following a rape, abortion due to a mother’s life being in jeopardy, abortion following an act of voluntary protected sex, etc. Each analogy/argument is meant to add support to the overarching claim that ‘Abortions are often morally okay.’ Or, otherwise stated, ‘Abortion is not immoral in a majority of cases.’ Whether any of the analogies and associated reasoning actually works is to be determined by her readers.
The assumption underlying all ethical/moral arguments-by-analogy is that the morality/immorality of similar scenarios should be assessed similarly (the same). If Scenario P is similar to Scenario Q (in all morally relevant details), and we deem an action/decision in Scenario P to be morally okay, then we should likewise deem the analogous action/decision in Scenario Q to be morally okay. If Scenario P is similar to Scenario Q (in all morally relevant details), and we deem an action/decision in Scenario P to be immoral, then we should likewise deem the analogous action/decision in Scenario Q to be immoral. Simply, all arguments-by-analogy rely on the assumption that our moral assessments/judgments should be consistent across similar/analogous scenarios. We shouldn’t have different moral assessments about scenarios/cases that are similar in all the morally relevant details.
As one might predict, the plausibility of arguments-by-analogy crucially depends on the plausibility of the analogy and associated reasoning. That is, in order for an argument-by-analogy to be plausible/decent the scenarios being compared must actually be similar in all the relevant details and the reasoning offered in support of the assessment we are supposed to make based on the analogy must be plausible as well. Any relevant dissimilarities between the scenarios and/or implausibility in the associated reasoning will serve to weaken an argument-by-analogy. Thus, when considering such, one should always carefully consider the relevant similarities and (if present) the relevant dissimilarities between the two scenarios. If too many relevant dissimilarities can be found/revealed, then the argument-by-analogy is likely not plausible and/or if parts of the reasoning associated with the analogy fails, then it’s likely that the overall argument is a fail.
With the above comments in mind, the tasks for this week are:
1) Select one of the arguments-by-analogy that appears within A Defense of Abortion. Tells us with one you select. For example, ‘I will discuss Thomson’s People Seeds analogy and its associated reasoning.’
2) Summarize the analogy and its associated reasoning in your own words. Make sure to identify the specific situation of abortion that the analogy and reasoning is supposed to be analogous to. And, make sure to indicate how the analogy and reasoning is supposed to relate to the the overarching claim that ‘Abortions are often morally okay’ and/or ‘Abortions are not immoral in a majority of cases’. Completing this part requires that one locate the analogy within the article and carefully read and consider the reasoning associated with it. I briefly describe each analogy/argument in this week’s videos, Death, Rights, & Abortion (SE) Parts 1-2. But, one will still need to read Thomson’s article in order to locate and consider her actual words/reasoning.
3) Analyze the analogy and its associated reasoning. Were the supposedly analogous scenarios actually similar in all morally relevant details? If not, then in what ways do they seem relevantly dissimilar? Do you buy any, or all, of the reasoning associated with the analogy? Why/why not?
4) Might there be “better” arguments-by-analogy that one could offer in support of the morality or immorality of abortions in specific cases? If so, then please provide one.
Requirements: answer all questions
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