Topic 8 Dominance Flashcards
Why are humans dominant?
Superior characteristics to animals:
- made in God’s image
- moral awareness
- soul
Special relationship with God
Animals act only bodily desires
Shared characteristics with God grants humanity ability to “rule over” animals (Gen 1:26-1:28)
What does Gen 9:2-3 tell us about dominance
That all creation should be under the fear and dread of human beings
Also pinnacle of creation!!!
What do evangelical Christians believe about dominance?
- the Fall (Adam and Eve) changed relationship between god and humans
- Christians should focus on restoring relationship over caring for environment
- they believe that it is their duty to save souls rather than planet
Why do we not need to worry about the environment? (Revelation)
- god will deal with it
- after all, at end of time, god will make new heaven and new earth according to book of revelation
What does Augustine believe about dominance?
- Augustine + early church fathers
- dominance over animals= indication of unique rational minds of humans that reflect image of God
- believes that despite sin, creation as a whole remains beautiful (weak, given the destruction we are causing)
- believed that ‘to refrain from the killing of animals and the destroying of plants, is the height of superstition” eg when Jesus sent herd of pigs over the cliff in Luke 8:33, seen as Christians have no duties to animals
What did Aquinas argue?
- divine providence extends to all things (something divine in everything)
- humans = rational + intellectual, special as they can control their actions, therefore have special relationship with God, and animals are subordinated
- god cares for everything else but only to provide something for man eg not wrong to kill animals for food, like in gen when god gives Adam animals
- can only sin against God, our neighbours, ourselves - not possible to sin against animals or earth
Why do some non religious people believe that animals only have instrumental rights?
- only have rights in relation to use to humanity
- animals must work for us, only to be protected if useful
Eg drug testing on animals for benefit of humans and cosmetics companies (could argue makeup isn’t a ‘benefit’ to our health!)
What did Immanuel Kant (non religious) believe?
- animals for humanity
- no duty to look after them
What did JS mill argue? (Non religious)
- animals dont have same quality of feelings and happiness as humans
- cannot have same rights
- can be used by humans
