issues of animal life and death Flashcards
How are animals killed
captive bolt gun:
leads to instant death
cant use bullets for commercial use because its health hazard for consumer
Electricity
bullets to the brain stem
carbon monoxide gas
How are chickens raised in industrial farms
tightly spaced- in the wild they could run around (beaks cut off so they dont cut each other, give them contact lenses so they cant see each other)
they are modified to produce more meat
pumped full of chemicals and steroids to make them grow faster
water supply is raised so if they haven’t grown enough they die
NML on Animals for food (NOT dominion)
Aquinas says we can use animals for food because it benefits humans
Hierarchy of souls- humans have rational souls but animals only have sensitive souls
What does aquinas say about treating animals poorly
Aquinas says you cant treat life cruelly
he says it is a bad idea to develop the habit of hurting others. this makes it easier to hurt other humans which God forbids
cruelty to animals numbs the human conscience
Situation ethics on Eating Meat
Its absolutely fine
personalism- people always come in front of animals
BUT, he may make an exception if the agape calculus says it is right to not intensive farm
Virtue ethics on eating meat
Aristotle is the originator of the hierarchy of souls- rational souls above sensitive souls
SOMETIMES it is okay
for example: temple sacrifice was virtuous so it is all good
however, hunting a dangerous animal that could kill you is rash and not virtuous
if you don’t know, find a virtuous person. if you don’t have a virtuous person, consult the golden mean
How are animals tested
vaccinations
sun cream (taste don pigs because it burns in the sun the same as humans)
cosmetics
Why is shampoo tested on rabbits
they put it in their eyes
rabbits cant produce tears so they can observe what happens if they eave it in their eyes for too long
NML on animal research
If it saves human lives, its all good
Aristotle says that it is down to the individual. if you put shampoo in rabbits eyes because you hate rabbits, its wrong
Situation ethics on animal research
depends on the situation
if it is the most agapeic thing for humans, it is right
virtue ethics on animal research
If it cultivates virtuous qualities, it is fine
it is a vice if it is done for the wrong reason
NML on Blood sports
Animals are here to benefit humans
hierarchy of souls
Situation ethics on blood sports
Whatever is most loving
Agape to look after animals as it may reduce the suffering of other humans
However, animal suffering that leads to human agape is good
Virtue ethics on blood sports
If it cultivates virtuous qualities, it is fine
it is a vice if it is done for the wrong reason
