Human-Animal Relations

Question 1

when and why did hunting become popular?

Answer 1

1600s and 1700s
popular pastime amongst aristocracy
built specialised hunting lodges and clubs

Question 2

what effects did the fur trade have?

Answer 2

began in the Americas in 1500s by European colonies
overhunting of animals
animals hunted for profit rather than need

Question 3

what was the significance of livestock in the Americas?

Answer 3

dictated settlements - Duxbury Marker 1634
altered ecosystems with overgrazing and taking over native land

Question 4

what was renaissance humanism?

Answer 4

14th and 15th centuries
focus on humans as the centre of the universe, superior to other creatures

Question 5

what were the effects of Descartes’ ideas?

Answer 5

the idea that animals were machines led to vivisection and animal experimentation, however these practices revealed the anatomical similarities between humans and animals

Question 6

Christian attitudes post-Enlightenment

Answer 6

still considered humans to be superior, with no obligations towards animals
Pope refused to allow animal rights society in mid-1800s
only in 1988 did the Catholic Church begin to change their views due to pressure from environmental groups

Question 7

what legislation was achieved after the Enlightenment?

Answer 7

1800s, most bills were laughed out of parliament such as banning bullbaiting and mistreatment of horses
successful in passing laws that protected animals as property, but not wild animals - only way to pass law
1835 - Animal Cruelty Bill passed

Question 8

was the Enlightenment successfully influential?

Answer 8

in some ways yes, however Darwin’s theories of evolution later can be seen as more vital to a change in attitudes
RSPCA - 1824
Cruelty to Animals Act 1835

Question 9

Aquinas

Answer 9

animals created by God for us to use, they are inferior

Question 10

Descartes

Answer 10

1600s, animals are machines without souls, and are not capable of suffering or consciousness

Question 11

Roman Era

Answer 11

animals used in games and sacrifices, utilised for food and furs

Question 12

Locke

Answer 12

animals do have some mental capacity and can feel and remember
however he was pro-slavery

Question 13

Kant

Answer 13

called for an end to the violent and cruel treatment of animals

Question 14

Hume

Answer 14

advocated for ‘gentle usage’ of animals

Question 15

Rousseau

Answer 15

‘rediscovery’ of nature and man’s connection to the natural world - not advocating for equality, more of an expression of spirituality and closeness to God

Question 16

Bentham

Answer 16

animals do have the capability to suffer; man’s dominion is tyranny and we must stop their suffering in order to be moral

Question 17

Voltaire

Answer 17

animal experimentation showed the biological similarities between humans and animals, and therefore they are deserving of more respect
hypocrisy regarding vegetarianism