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Henry Sidgwick (1838-1900) on Received Morality

Animal Ethics

Again, all or most men in whom the moral consciousness is strongly developed find themselves from time to time in conflict with the commonly received morality of the society to which they belong: and thus—as was before said—have a crucial experience proving that duty does not mean to them what other men will disapprove of them for not doing.

Morals 40
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W. D. Ross (1877-1971) on the Moral Significance of Pleasure and Pain

Animal Ethics

But when a moral being is feeling a pleasure or pain that is deserved or undeserved, or a pleasure or pain that implies a good or a bad disposition, the total fact is quite inadequately described if we say 'a sentient being is feeling pleasure, or pain'. Pleasure is good when, and only when, it is deserved.

Morals 40
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W. D. Ross (1877-1971) on the Right and the Good

Animal Ethics

Now when we ask what is the general nature of morally good actions, it seems quite clear that it is in virtue of the motives that they proceed from that actions are morally good. Thus a morally good action need not be the doing of a right act, and the doing of a right act need not be a morally good action.

Rights 40
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W. D. Ross (1877-1971) on Animal Rights

Animal Ethics

We had better therefore take the less complicated case of animals, which we commonly suppose not to be even potential moral agents. If we take the first view, we are implying that in order to have rights, just as much as in order to have duties, it is necessary to be a moral agent. It is not at all clear which is the true view.