ARSMU.BLOGSPOT.COM

This is the class blog for Phil 3377, Animal Rights, at SMU. Visit often to find material presented during class, including lecture notes, visuals, links to videos, etc.

8.24.2026

Introduction

INTRODUCTIONS
  • what is your favorite kind of animal encounter? 
  • e.g. interacting with your cat, spotting an animal in the wild, riding a horse, being at the zoo, etc.
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BLOG TOUR

  • Home/schedule page
  • instructions, policies at top
  • Scroll down to each day to to find readings and assignments
  • Simple syllabus, basis for grade
  • Attendance policy
MORE 
  • End of today: we'll discuss reading responses
  • Wed: the AI policy
  • Fri: more about field trips
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WHAT IS THIS CLASS ABOUT?

THE PLAN: 7 MODULES


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OUR CONFLICTING ATTITUDES TOWARD ANIMALS


ICELANDERS AND PUFFINS




WESTMAN ISLANDS: LOVING PUFFINS

Watch up to 8:00 -- "Every puffin counts"




GRIMSEY ISLAND: KILLING PUFFINS

Hunting article
the lundaveiðar (summer puffin hunt) tradition

THE SAME PEOPLE SAVE & KILL/EAT
  • the hunters on Grimsey are from the Westman Islands
  • they bring the puffins back for a summer feast everyone participates in (Thjóðhátíð)
  • so the same people save and eat puffins  

OTHER EXAMPLES CLOSER TO HOME

POSITIONS
  1. SAVE & KILL. Makes sense to love, save AND kill eat...no confusion, no conflict
  2. SAVE, DON'T KILL.  
  3. KILL, DON'T SAVE. 
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NEXT TIME: Classic views
  1. Aristotle
  2. Passages from Bible
  3. What would they say about the Icelanders?
  4. Descartes
  5. Kant
  6. Bentham
  7. Singer
  8. Regan
  9. Hindu views
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8.20.2026

Welcome!

This is the class blog for Phil 3377, Animal Rights, at SMU. It contains the material presented during class.  If you miss class, visit the blog to see what was covered. Go to Canvas to find the class schedule, the syllabus, policies, grades, etc.