Friday, December 7, 2012
In Defense of "A Defense of Abortion"
In her classic article "A Defense of Abortion," Judith Jarvis Thomson famously insists "that we grant that a fetus is a person from the moment of conception." This seems a bold move and one that is very difficult to overcome while defending abortion, but Thomson, nevertheless, presents -- at the very least -- a strong case in support of abortion rights. What are the most convincing parts of Thomson's argument? Why? Be sure to cite at least three reasons from the text of the article. Defend your reasoning in no fewer than 10 sentences.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Abortion and Feminism: Sidney Callahan and Naomi Wolf
In "Abortion and the Sexual Agenda," Sidney Callahan controversially compares "debates... about the fetus... [to those] once conducted about feminine personhood." Moreover, Callahan continues, "just as women, or blacks, were considered too different, too underdeveloped, too 'biological,' to have souls or to possess legal rights, so the fetus is now seen as merely 'biological' life, subsidiary to a person." "As the most recent immigrants from nonpersonhood, feminists" must rise up and protect similarly oppressed fetal life, Callahan concludes.
At the same time, Naomi Wolf polemically writes that "the pro-choice movement has relinquished the moral frame around the issue of abortion." She continues, "the women who come to a clinic that is truly feminist -- that respects women -- are entitled not only to their abortions but also to their sense of sin."
Do you agree or disagree with Callahan's argument and Wolf's claims? In a post of no fewer than TEN SENTENCES, please respond thoughtfully to these excerpts and this question.
At the same time, Naomi Wolf polemically writes that "the pro-choice movement has relinquished the moral frame around the issue of abortion." She continues, "the women who come to a clinic that is truly feminist -- that respects women -- are entitled not only to their abortions but also to their sense of sin."
Do you agree or disagree with Callahan's argument and Wolf's claims? In a post of no fewer than TEN SENTENCES, please respond thoughtfully to these excerpts and this question.
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