Task
This task concerns Thomson’s defence of abortion. It refers to the views and arguments that she discusses, and the views and arguments in the Study Guide discussion of Thomson’s case. Having studied those discussions, you are to write an essay.
Critically discuss Thomson’s case for saying that when the pregnancy does not endanger the mother’s life an abortion may not be unjust. (1000 Word Limit)
You need to provide a satisfactory discussion of the topic you select . In order to do this you will need to understand the whole of Thomson’s article and the whole of the critical discussion of it in the Study Guide. But the question is not about the whole of Thomson’s case. You will need to identify those particular portions of Thomson’s case which are relevant to the particular topic you select, and then critically examine those portions. You will be discussing whether the relevant arguments in Thomson’s article are good or bad.
Rationale
The essay allows you to display your grasp of the philosophical discussion of the relevant topic. It requires you to show that you understand this discussion, and that you can critically assess it. (Note that this task is directed towards all three of the learning outcomes for this subject – i.e. it allows you to demonstrate that you grasp the basic philosophical techniques of analysis and argument that you are learning, that you have a basic understanding of the ethical theories being discussed, and that you can apply those skills and understanding in the discussion of the particular moral problems discussed.)