Innocent Threats
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In the previous cases an innocent person was a threat to the life of someone else. Many people would agree that it is permissible to defend oneself by killing such a person.

What about an innocent threat to important freedoms, one's economic future, or some other aspect of well being? We often allow that people are justified in killing aggressors to protect valuable property, their freedom of speech, religion, and so on. What about an innocent threat to the right to control one's body, one's career, or one's life plans? Are these less important? Why or why not?

Judith Thomson's imaginary kidney patient may be relevant here. Does it raise problems for the natural law view? Look at Related Ideas for information on the issues raised by Thomson.

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