Ethics! Module 14: Morality & Animals

Photo: Justin Lubin / NBC.

We have seen how a concern for other people can become quite demanding. Continuing in that vein, we might go even further: should our concerns extend to other forms of life as well? In particular, does that mean that we should consider the impact of our actions on all human and non-human animals alike? If so, are we then all morally obligated to become vegans?

In considering these questions, there are 4 learning outcomes. By the end of this module, you will be able to…

Reflect on the ways in which you are different from, and yet similar to, non-human animals;
Explain the notion of Speciesism and why Peter Singer believes it is morally repugnant just like other forms of bigotry;
Summarize Singer’s argument that “all animals are equal”; and
State something new that you learned about Professor Gray (okay, this last one isn’t as important as the others).

Read & Annotate This:

Animal Liberation

Context

Those who have pets know what it means to care deeply about the well-being of those animals. They may even be willing to spend thousands of dollars a year to take care of their pets.

Despite this, as the reading from Peter Singer (2002) notes, there seems to be limited interest in the suffering undergone by the animals we choose to eat or use for their hides. In particular, Singer considers to what extent, if any at all, that non-human animal life is worthy of our (human) moral consideration. He concludes that there is limited moral difference between human and non-human animals, arguing that, from a moral point of view, “all animals are equal” (2002, p. 1).

Meanwhile, I have also included (in the optional “Curious for More?” section below) an extremely influential photoseries by Stan Wayman (1966). When it was originally published, “Concentration Camps for Dogs” generated massive public outcry about the treatment of dogs and cats. Soon after, the United States Congress would pass the Animal Welfare Act, which provides some basic protections concerning animal housing and care. Again, though, such protections do not extend to the animals we eat.

Reading Questions

As you read, keep these questions in mind:

Why might people get upset about how certain animals (like dogs and cats) are mistreated, while not expressing similar concerns for how other animals (like cows, pigs, and chickens) are treated?
According to Peter Singer, in what ways are humans and non-human animals different and unequal? Why does Singer believe that these differences and inequalities do not make humans morally more important than non-human animals?
In what ways does Singer claim that are all animals equal? Why are these equalities supposed to make all human and non-human animals morally equal as well? How is this a Classical Utilitarian-style argument like we have seen before in Jeremy Bentham?
What are Singer’s arguments for vegetarianism and against (certain forms of) experimentation on animals?

Although I strongly suggest that you write out brief answers to these questions, you do not have to turn in written responses. You do, however, need to be prepared to answer questions like these on module quizzes and the unit exams.