Chapter 39 Self Quiz

. Which of the following arguments is often used to support the view that abortion is immoral even when it is necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman?

The fetus is an innocent person and directly killing an innocent person is murder, which is absolutely impermissible.

Our moral obligations to the unborn outweigh our obligations to adult human beings.

We have no obligation to prevent a person from dying (the mother), while we do have an obligation to refrain from directly killing an innocent person (the fetus).

all of the above

. Thomson believes it would be indecent of a woman not to carry her fetus to term if

pregnancy lasted only an hour and constituted no threat to the woman’s life.

she had conceived the fetus by engaging in voluntary sex.

it could be demonstrated conclusively that the fetus has become a human person.

all of the above

. According to Thomson, the right to self-defense

allows us to do anything necessary to save our lives.

applies only in cases in which the threatening person is guilty.

does not exist.

none of the above

. In which of the following rights does Thomson believe?

the right to secure the death of an unborn child

a woman’s right to an abortion in all circumstances

a human being’s right to life

none of the above

. Thomson believes that the fetus is a human person only after birth.

True

False

. According to Thomson, it is permissible to unhook yourself from the violinist if the alternative would be to remain bedridden for nine months.

True

False

. Thomson believes that all persons have a right to life.

True

False

. According to Thomson’s view of rights, if it is the case that you really ought to share your box of chocolates with your brother, it follows that he has a right to some of the chocolates.

True

False

. Thomson believes that abortion is always morally permissible.

True

False

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