Animal Ethics

MAY 4, 2008

If, for instance, it is determined that gravely mentally defective human beings and monsters born of human parents are not the kinds of beings who may possess rights, this bears on how we may treat them. Similarly, important conclusions follow from the question as to whether animals have rights.

Animal Rights 40

Animal Rights Rights Animal Bears 40

Animal Person

NOVEMBER 21, 2010

It has entertaining stories, includes animals people care about because they like them (and also addresses that concept), and it describes how the numbers of various species decreased to the point of being classified as "endangered" or worse. if we believe it's our right to do what we want with the lives of other animals. . . .

Polar Bears 100

Polar Bears California Condor Bald Eagle Lions 100

Animal Ethics

JUNE 17, 2008

What the utilitarian who defends human carnivorousness must say, then, is something like this: that the amount of pleasure which humans derive per pound of animal flesh exceeds the amount of discomfort and pain per pound which are inflicted on the animals in the process, all things taken into account. Is this plausible?

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Morals Vegetarian Cooking Slaughter 40

Animal Ethics

JANUARY 20, 2007

By abusing evolutionary biology in this way, we are able to read back the sophisticated conduct of people into the animal behavior that prefigures it. But this means that the apes appeal to animal-rights activists for precisely the wrong reason—namely, that they look like people and behave like people, while making no moral demands.

Animal 40

Animal Morals Apes Emotional 40

Animal Ethics

FEBRUARY 15, 2009

If some microorganisms must be killed in the process, this is unfortunate but necessary for human life. Why should microorganisms be sacrificed rather than humans? Why is human life more valued than the life of microorganisms? One might be inclined to say that human beings are more valuable because of their intelligence.

Morals 40

Morals Vegetarian Meat Killing 40