What Happened to Tom - free

[Peg]

What Happened to Tom explores the issue of reproductive rights, elaborating on Thomson's famous thought experiment "The Violinist" -- free at my website. It Wasn't Enough explores sexism, Gender Fraud: a fiction explores the concept of 'gender identity', Impact explores rape, etc. ALL FREE at pegtittle.com.

[Peter]

Hi Peg and welcome to our group. Would you mind expanding on the philosophical angle of your book please?

[Peg]

Certainly! Inspired by Judith Jarvis Thomson's famous thought experiment, the novel tells the story of Tom who wakes up one morning to find his body’s been hijacked and turned into a human kidney dialysis machine. For nine months he has to stay connected to Simon, a famous violinist, or Simon will die.

Through allegory, I explore the ethics of limited access to contraception and abortion, as well as pro-natalism.

Here's a brief review: “This powerful book plays with the gender gap to throw into high relief the infuriating havoc unwanted pregnancy can wreak on a woman’s life. Once you’ve read What Happened to Tom, you’ll never forget it.” Elizabeth Greene, author of Understories and Moving

[Peter]

Thank you - I hadn't actually heard of the thought experiment (not sure how I missed that!) but I've now looked it up. Sounds like a fascinating read.

[Peg]

Ah. It's one of the many I address in What If? Thought Experiments in Philosophy. I thought it was 'famous' -- apparently not! :-)

What If...: Collected Thought Experiments in Philosophy

[Peter]

Peg wrote: "Ah. It's one of the many I address in What If? Thought Experiments in Philosophy. I thought it was 'famous' -- apparently not! :-)


Me not knowing it is by no means a measure of it's fame - more my ignorance! I'm putting it and your 'What if..' on my list!