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9.09.2024

The rights approach

 ANNOUNCEMENTS

  1. Field trips
    • Two people were moved to the Zoo/Aquarium group to equalize the groups
    • Date for Fair/Rodeo discussion was changed from Nov 11 to Nov 4.
    • Look at paper instructions before you go on your field trip. One of the three options involves the field trip.  
  2. We're having our first debate Friday. On Wednesday we'll discuss the topic. (Don't do DP1 until after Wednesday's class.)
  3. We're having a quiz next Wednesday. Just one question, lots of choice. 
  4. Warning about next reading.  Reading philosophy advice.
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THE MORAL STATUS OF ANIMALS

Week 1: humanism (humans have higher moral status)

Week 2: Singer's equality-based animalism

Week 3: Regan's rights-based animalism

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SINGER RECAP

 PRINCIPLE OF EQUALITY (POE)

Whose pain should I relieve after a natural disaster?


Whose life should I save after a natural disaster?


NEED MORE ETHICS THAN POE

Should Icelanders kill puffins for food?

  1. Principle of equality tells you to ignore species and focus on interests
  2. Principle of equality doesn't tell you how to combine facts about different individuals

UTILITARIANISM

Prime directive: We must always choose the option that maximizes total good.

In the table above--leave alone is morally required 

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TOM REGAN

Utilitarianism vs. the rights view

  1. Utilitarianism: the puffins should be considered as equals in this total calculation. In a weak sense this is saying they have rights.
  2. Rights view: they are entitled to life and liberty whatever the total calculation. Should leave alone if the facts are as below, even if the total consquences are worse.

WHY DOES THINK UTILITARIANISM WRONG?
WHAT IS REGAN'S ARGUMENT FOR ANIMAL RIGHTS?

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WRONG VIEWS
  1. Indirect duty views (1-2)
  2. Contractarianism (2-3)
  3. Cruelty-kindness views (5)
  4. Utilitarianism (5-7)
    • The cup objection
    • The Aunt Bea objection








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REGAN'S ARGUMENT FOR ANIMAL RIGHTS


List of premises--logically interlocking claims that support a conclusion
Conclusion

P1 You and I have value as individuals--inherent value. (7)

P2 All who have inherent value have it equally--regardless of "talents or skills, intelligence and wealth" (7), regardless of usefulness to others, etc.

P3 We have that inherent value because we are all "experiencing subjects of a life." (8)

P4  Animals are experiencing subjects of a life too, so also have inherent value.

P5 Animals don't have less inherent value because of their lower intellligence, considering that cognitively impaired humans don't have less inherent value.

P6 Based on our equal inherent value all humans have an equal right to be treated with respect.

CONCLUSION Animals likewise have an equal right to be treated with respect.

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APPLICATIONS
  1. Puffin hunting
  2. Using animals for food, no matter how humanely
  3. Using animals in biomedical research, no matter how humanely