Midterm Flashcards
what do ethics dictate
how we ought to behave
what are the 2 ways that moral/ethical duties can be
direct or indirect
direct moral duties
animals have moral standing, they are members of our moral community
indirect moral duties
animals do not have moral standing, they are not members of our moral community
what are examples of animal welfare philsophies
contractarian view
utilitarian view
animal rights view
relational view
respect for nature view
what is the contractarian view
morality is based on a contract between individuals
mutual cooperation (good treatment = good treatment for you)
how does the contractarian view affect animals
moral obligations towards animals are based on how much they matter to other humans - good treatment upon agreement between humans
what is the utilitarian view based on
consequences - human actions should produce the best possible consequences
what is the goal of the utilitarian view
maximize pleasure and wellbeing
minimize pain
how does the utilitarian view affect animals
animals are included because they can experience pleasure and pain
how does the comparison within the utilitarian view work
a practice that causes suffering is acceptable as long as the suffering is outweighed by the pleasure generated
what is the animal rights view based on
morality is based on rights that should be protected (right to life and liberty)
how are animals affected by the animal rights view
they are included in the moral community because they are sentient beings like humans
what is the relational view
“ethics of care”
causing suffering is wrong because it demonstrates lack of care
how are animals affected by the relational view
duties to animals based on our emotional relations to them - concerned about the effect that the poor treatment of animals may have on other humans
