A historical Perspective of Welfare Flashcards
Name the three components that make up welfare
- Science
- Ethics
- Law
Which two movements have chiefly influenced the way animals are traditionally thought of?
Religion and philosophy
Who were the first people to influence how we thought about animals?
Greek philosophers
What did the greek philosopher Aristotle argue?
That animals fall below humans I the natural hierarchy as a result of their inferior reasoning and sense of perception
The social climate in Aristole’s time was very different, what other views did he hold which supports this?
Women are inferior to men and some people are better suited than other to be slaves (stronger in body than in mind)
What did/do christians believe about animals
God made humans based on his own image but we do have duties towards animals (even through this wasn’t reinforced by official theology)
What does Judaism and islam believe about animals?
They are subordinate to humans and their for our use but we should not be cruel and cause unnecessary pain
Why did the two Christian philosophers, Augustine and Aquinas, say that we should be kind to animals?
because harming animals also harms their owners and cruelty could lead to cruelty against humans (a very contractarian view)
What do the non-western traditions such as jainsim, hinduism and Buddhism believe about animals and why?
They believe all life is scared and harming life will later result in suffering for the person (again self interest)
What is the innuit and Native American view?
Nature is animated by spirit but the respectful killing and consumption of animas is accepted
What is the view of modern philosophers regarding animals?
Humans are more important
What did the modern philosopher Rene Descartes say about animals?
The essence of humanity is found in the mind, spirit or soul. Animals are essentially organic machines which do not feel pain
What did the modern philosophers Hobbes, Locke and cant attribute to animals?
They have perception and feelings but they do not have properties such as reason which are necessary for significant moral status
What did the modern philosopher Jeremy Bentham believe?
The correct conduct regarding animals is one which maximises pleasure over pain
What did the modern philosopher Schopenhauer say regarding animals?
He rejected reason, autonomy, self consciousness and power as determinants of moral status and argued that moral living requires compassion for all beings who can suffer but humans have a greater capacity to suffer because they are highly intelligent
In what decade did concern for animals begin to grow?
1800’s
When was the RSPCA founded?
1824
What was the first law put in place for the protection of animals and when was it passed?
The Ill Treatment of Horses and Cattle Bill, Passed in England in 1822
What is significant about the types of animal covered by this bill?
Not all animals were covered and the law only applied to people who did not own the animal (e.g you can harm your own cows but you cant harm anybody else cows)
The Ill Treatment of Horses and Cattle Bill is descried as covering ‘wanton cruelty’. What does this mean?
If you have a good enough excuse for cruelty then it is acceptable
What was the first comprehensive general law relating to animal cruelty passed?
The Protection of Animals Act 1911
What did the The Protection of Animals Act 1911 prohibit?
unnecessary suffering to any domestic or captive animal by acts of commission and omission (so this law also covered neglect)
In the 1950’s there was a post war intensification of the livestock industry. When did public concern for the animals being farmed begin to grow?
1960’s
Why did intensification occur?
To counter post war food shortages which then turned into a market for the cheapest food
