Singer – The Place of Nonhumans

Question 1

1. What is speciesism?

Answer 1

The unjustified favoring of one’s own species (humans) over others, similar to racism or sexism in its moral irrationality.

Question 2

2. What is the principle of equality as a moral ideal?

Answer 2

The idea that all beings capable of suffering should have their interests considered equally, regardless of species.

Question 3

3. What does Singer mean by “equality in consideration of interests”?

Answer 3

That we must weigh interests (like the capacity to suffer) equally, even if beings are different in other ways (like intelligence or language use).

Question 4

4. Why do we have a moral duty to stop consuming animal products?

Answer 4

Because animals are sentient, factory farming causes massive suffering, and our food choices contribute directly to that harm — which violates the principle of equal consideration.