Animal Ethics

MARCH 27, 2009

For an explanation of this feature, click on “Moral Vegetarianism” at the bottom of this post. ARGUMENTS FOR MORAL VEGETARIANISM A variety of arguments have been given for vegetarianism. Sometimes they take such a sketchy form that it is not completely clear they are moral arguments. Tags: Moral Vegetarianism.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Morals Monkeys Meat 40

Animal Person

APRIL 1, 2010

Today's nonhuman apes don't represent earlier stages in human development. Our common-ape like ancestor lived about 15 million years ago. Citing abilities such as nonhuman great apes' ability to learn human languages suggest that animal rights advocates seek nonhuman participation in human society.

Speciesism 100

Speciesism Apes Advocacy Salamander 100

Animal Ethics

DECEMBER 1, 2010

If an animal has the relevant moral capacities, actually or potentially, then it can be a possessor of rights. The evidence available to date about the rational capacities of animals is far from complete, but to date it appears to be decidedly unfavourable to the view that any animals possess the relevant moral capacities.

Animal Rights 40

Animal Rights Rights Morals Animal 40

Animal Person

JANUARY 6, 2010

The way I see it, there are three camps on this one: People who think that dolphins or Great Apes or chimps could function as a gateway to other animals getting rights. Dolphins are so smart that scientists think they should be treated as "non-human persons" and as such it is "morally unacceptable" to use or kill them.

Dolphins 100

Dolphins Animal Rights Rights Animal 100

Animal Ethics

APRIL 23, 2008

Under the moral law, all beings who have interests are subjects of rights, while all those who in addition to having interests, are capable of grasping the demands of duty, are subjects of duties. The defining characteristic of moral agency is autonomy ("rational self-determination"). Nonhuman animals (even apes) are in category 3.

Rights 40

Rights Morals Apes Ethics 40

Animal Ethics

JANUARY 20, 2007

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. They put less weight on our “moral emotions,” such as embarrassment, remorse, guilt, and penitence. They’re comparatively undemanding.

Animal 40

Animal Morals Apes Emotional 40