J.J. Thompson's Violinist Thought Experiment Concerning Abortion

[polymath257]

I think the thought experiment is a good one.

I think Neo and Iggy have a point. The distinction between the violinist scenario and pregnancy is that choice is involved. But even then, it could be argued that living life, dating someone, and accidentally getting pregnant is a lot like waking up in a hospital after a car accident. Sometimes accidents happen. Even careful people have accidents-- not just careless people. We needn't assume that every accidental pregnancy is due to carelessness.

I think the thought experiment really shines as a counterpoint to the notion of "right to life."

I think the reason a "famous violinist" was chosen rather than just "some rando" is that it gives you a sense that this is a significant person. But, special as this person may be, does that obligate one to make long term sacrifices for someone because of their "right to life"? The thought experiment tests our intuitions here. And I think it says something significant.

Once again, even if the original attachment to the violinist had been voluntary, it seems to me that there is a right to detach. The alternative is, essentially, slavery.

It gets a bit more interesting if you say that the attachment was voluntary originally and would only last a short period of time. It the attachment lasted only an hour, it might be hard to find someone saying it has to happen immediately. If it lasts a month, that starts to become one person owning another. Nine months? good question.