Module 1 Flashcards
Deontology
Moral obligation regardless of consequence
Utilitarianism
Benefits must outweigh the cost
What is animal ethics?
How animals ought to be treated
Philosophical theory of Aristotle (384-322 B.C)
Humans are superior because they can reason
Philosophical theory of Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
“Only human intellect can gain knowledge and understanding of God.. therefore all other beings exist for humans”
Philosophical theory of Rene Descartes (1596-1650)
“ I think therefore I am “
Philosophical theory of Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)
“The only thing that has intrinsic value is a good will. Since an animal does not have a will, they cannot have a good will therefore they do not have any intrinsic value”
Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832)
“The question is not can they reason, but can they suffer”
Rejected all previous theories
Factors influencing the rise of the animal rights movements
-philosophical traditions
-religious beliefs
-democratization in civil society
-growth of human rights movements
-industrialization and technology
-scientific knowledge about animals
Factors influencing industrialization of agriculture (1930’s-Present)
-Great Depression
-Better jobs in cities
-Encroachment on agricultural land
- War experiences leading to dissatisfaction with farm life
-population growth
-Labour saving machines
-Economy of scale factories
Consequences of industrialization
-get big or get out
-technology key to high production
- Death of animal husbandry
-productivity no longer equaled good animal welfare
-profitability
Animal rights lead to animal welfare (1960’s)
The treatment of animals moved from being a personal ethics example to societal ethics
Who is Peter singer ?
Equal rights philosopher who said the capacity to feel pain is the only factor needed to consider an individual of another species equal
What is sentience ?
Possession of sensory organs, ability to feel, experience subjectively
Animal welfare vs Animal rights
Animal welfare is the concern for the quality of life of animals in our control
Animal rights suggests animals are their own nation and should live w/out interference from ours
