Lecture 4 - Ethical Views and Grand challenges Flashcards
What is a grand challenge
Set of unresolved problems that spark progress in the field
Grand challenge in agriculture?
Increased food demand
What is the contractarian view
Morality for his/her own good
“Contract into” it
Need to:
- gain from contract
- enter/maintain agreement
Use of animals is fine as long as it benefits people
More benefit = better care
Treat animal so they can meet their purpose
What is the utilitarian view
Consequences show maximize please and minimize pain
Is the pleasure of eating meet > than animal suffering
Pain is pain = equality
If it can suffer, it has an interest to avoid suffering
Can use animal if it is given a pleasant life (next animal would not have lived)
What are the six ethical views
Contractarian, utilitarian, animal rights, contextual, respect for nature, hybrid
What is the animal rights view
Harm to animals unacceptable
Rights (legal and moral) given to conscience individuals
Abolish experimentation and agriculture
Benefit of doubt of sentience
Criticism: rats can live if spread disease? Pet keeping = wrong (breeding, confinement, spay)
What is the contextual view
Relation of ppl to animal matters (empathy? prior interaction?)
Pain wrong bc we sympathize, want to alleviate
Pets and wildlife treated differently (more moral obligation)
‘Special obligation’ to more vulnerable animals
What is respect for nature
Animal important because it is part of a species
Concern for species extinction
Species have roles un habitats that need to be fulfilled
Challenges: what is natural? special value?
Hybrid view
Combo
Dilemma = decision needs to be made
Examples of grand challenges
Increased animal protein demand (increased population, protein consumption)
Impact of global environment change on habitats, climate, feedstocks
Water/land scarcity
Health considerations (emerging diseases)
Antibiotic resistance
Why are antimicrobials used in agriculture
Disease prevention
Growth promotion
Disease treatment
