Unit Eight SeminarAnimal Rights

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to discuss extension (before the last minute!) Late work (can’t turn in past 4 weeks late)

◦ Lose one gradepoint for each week late ◦ Please don’t turn in late quizzes or Seminar options◦ Please turn in late Discussion Board (original posts

only)◦ Debate Forum◦ Projects

If you have a bunch of late work, do the present unit and then try to catch up on late work.

Six Different Environmental Theories about how animals and plants should be treated ethically◦ Which Most Aligns with your postion?

Presented by Aldo Leopold Argues that the “land” encompasses the

entire natural world. Argues humans are part of not only a

natural order in nature but an ethical system as well.

Thus, ethics is extended to nature as well as to other humans.

Ultimate goal is to preserve integrity and beauty of nature.

Applies moral worth to conscious beings (this is what “sentient” means – it’s a Buddhist term) such as animals but not plants.

Considers the ability to feel pain and emotions as the foundation for rights.

Animals should only be harmed when basic human needs are at risk.

Note: This is one of the ethical bases of vegetarianism

Extends moral value to all living things. This includes nonsentient animals and

plants. Interests of living things are considered

along with human interests and weighed against the interests of all other living things.

Argues that the degradation of the environment is the fault of men and patriarchal society.

Sexism and environmental abuses share a common cause and thus only feminism can help address both problems.

The most common approach to environmental ethics in history.

Sees the natural world as a resource for humans. Anthropocentrism sees humans as the center of the universe.

Arguments are made for conservation, stewardship, and management of the environment from all ethical perspectives.

Care for environment is seen essential for the wellbeing of humanity and future generations.

Humans are highest form in nature. Humans granted dominance by God.

(Genesis 1and 2) Humans granted dominance by evolution. Humans can reason more than animals. Human civilization is more important than

nature. Morality is a human concept and thus only

exists in the human world.

Developed by Arne Naess. Considers the interests of nature to be

beyond the interests of humans. Argues for drastic reduction in human

population. Rejects utilitarian views of

environmentalism as well as stewardship views of traditional religion.

Utilitarian: Question of pleasure/pain equation. Using animals causes them more pain and thus violates the principle of utilitarianism (Peter Singer’s argument).

Kantian Rights: Animals have moral worth and value and thus should be granted rights just as humans are granted rights (Tom Regan’s view).

Does the Right of Humans outweigh the Rights of Animals? This is the central question. You would need to ethically justify your answer.

Is it right to use animals for testing medicines that can save human lives?

Is it right to use animals as a food source? Is a vegetarian diet ethically preferable? Let’s take a poll.

Is it right to harm animals for the pleasure of human entertainment (hunting, rodeos, bull fighting, ect.)?

Why do we care more about more complex and more “human” like animals than we do other simple creatures (worms, insects, etc.)?

Do we not assign rights based on human wants and desires?

Poll Question: Should factory farming be banned?

Debate Question: Should the government step in and increase regulation of factory farming? Is The Meatrix a fair depiction of what happens in our meat industry? position should be constructed as a developed paragraph.

◦ Read the Case Study on Andy and Factory Farming

◦ How, and to what extent should the concerns about the ethics of factory farming influence Andy Stewart's choice?

How, and to what extent, should ecological concerns about energy and resource consumption  influence Andy Stewart's choice

◦ How, and to what extent, should debates about the moral status of animals influence Andy Stewart's choice? (Discussion Thread 2)

You will see it listed under the Unit 8 headings

It is not due this week!It will be due Thursday, Sept. 6

If you finish Unit 8 early, begin thinking or compiling or get started on Unit 9

We will discuss Unit 9 and the Final Project fully in next week’s seminar (last one).