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Introducing Myself

Animal Ethics

I had a strong interest in science because of its reliance on reason and skepticism, which struck me as very good tools for truth seeking (which is ultimately what I am interested in). When I came across Philosophy, I immediately saw that it was the tree from which the branch of science had grown.

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From Today's New York Times

Animal Ethics

Davis, an emeritus professor of animal science at Oregon State University, says the horses “damage” the environment. Predator control (yet more killing by our government in the service of ranchers) is to blame for any overpopulation of herbivores. You report that Steven L.

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From Today's New York Times

Animal Ethics

Mr. Hurst flippantly questions the ability to measure a pig’s happiness, but sound science—not to mention common sense—clearly establishes that mother pigs locked in gestation crates with so little space that they cannot turn around for most of their lives do indeed suffer. JILLIAN PARRY FRY Baltimore, Feb.

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W. V. Quine (1908-2000) on Altruism

Animal Ethics

Moreover, we are prone to extrapolate; extrapolation was always intrinsic to induction, that primitive propensity that is at the root of all science. Extrapolation in science, however, is under the welcome restraint of stubborn fact: failures of prediction. Nowadays the boundary has given way to gradations.

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From Today's New York Times

Animal Ethics

To the Editor: Soon after I read Gary Steiner’s article, my wife asked me to kill a spider, which I did. We kill so many living creatures when we build a house, construct a road, drive down that road or just walk on a path. If we all decide to consider animals as precious as humans, the only logical place for us is back in the jungle.

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Animal Companions

Animal Ethics

Here are three paragraphs from a recent essay by Roger Scruton : As I suggested, science provides authority for this weird morality only when clothed in moral doctrine. One wonders whether Scruton has ever lived with—taken responsibility for—an animal. The sleight of hand that gave us the “selfish” gene gives us the rights of baboons.

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From the Mailbag

Animal Ethics

What if it's customary to allow guests to torture or kill one of the tribe? In other words, there are moral limits to science, as to law. Can you possibly understand them if you refuse? Can you possibly understand them if you refuse? Some things, I think you will agree, are more important than understanding.