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Lori Gruen's Argument Analysis

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The argument presented by Lori Gruen questions the idea of natural and normative. Lori Gruen introduces the idea of natural, pondering the idea as something instinctual or cultural. The traditionally defended argument is that dominating animals in any sense is valid since it serves our self desires(47). Furthermore, perceiving it as an evolutionary necessity as humans developed the ability to further their own interests at the expense of moral agents. On the other hand, Gruen argues the claim of evolutionary necessity is not morally permissible, and justifying the lack of moral attention for the interests of other species for the rudimentary differences between her, a moral agent, and a moral patient. Personally, I think that Gruen’s argument …show more content…

There is only mention of “marginal” human beings, and the option to either treat non-persons at the level of marginal human beings, or vice versa. This thinking is myopic, however, because this makes treatement of marginal human beings and animals interachangeable. Eva Kittay discusses this by mentioning her daughter, and how ACM would allow for her daughter to get the same care as an animal which would be inappropriate. The very idea of treating non-persons equally to persons is valid, however, it must be treated in a case by case basis, rather than a ubiquitous solition. The reason being, the intrinsic properties of an individual cannot be the extent to which one considers its moral status, one should also consider the species, and the situation itself. This concept of equality that the critique argues, introduces the treatment of marginal human beings and non human animals, but does not focus on the vast differences that currently exist between these two parties. All things considered, if these critiques hone into species differences and proportionally how to treat each individual party with respect then these critiques would all-inclusive. All things considered, these critiques remain myopic because they do not consider conflicts of interest, especially in regards to the

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Through our time we have only given the title of personhood to humans, but with the knowledge and science we have now we should have no choice but grant basic moral rights and personhood to highly developed or sentient animals. In “Stimulus 2,”

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In this paper, I will focus on Bonnie Steinbock’s claim on whether or not we should give equal moral consideration to species outside our own species group. I will first determine what moral concern means, according to Peter singer, and explain how he views the human treatment of animals. I will then outline Steinbock’s argument against Singer’s position and explain how her criticism is part of a much broader issue: that is moral concern. I will finally make my argument against Steinbock as well as address any issues she could possibly raise against my argument. Peter Singer believed that all species, whether it be human or non-human, deserve equal consideration of interests and quality of life.

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John T. Noonan’s “An Almost Absolute Value in Human History” he proceeds to argue about abortion and when an undeveloped human should be given the rights of an actual human. John T. Noonan poses the question, “how does one determine the humanity of a being.” With this question on hand he considers four ways to consider when “determining humanity.” “Viability: When the undeveloped human ‘can survive outside the womb.’ Experience: When the undeveloped human can ‘retain memories.’

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When it comes to Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, I believe that he has found a common thread in humanity in the fact that humans strive for the moderate in living virtuously. However, I would argue that the thread is varied enough to have no true worth in discerning the aspects of humanity. People have too different moralities and goals. Because Aristotle allows for these “local variations”, as Martha Nussbaum later terms in her defense of Aristotle, he is acknowledging that there cannot be an overarching analysis of humanity.

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In Jeremy Rifkin’s article, “A Change of Heart about Animals”, proves his statement that many of our fellow creatures also “feel pain, suffer and experience stress, affection, excitement and even love..”. I agree that animals share similar feelings as us, and I believe that they should be treated in a way that they can feel comfortable and care in their surroundings. Just because animals may not be completely the same as us, that should not give the right to a human to mistreat and abuse of an animal’s life. Animals can be well treated and cared for without giving them the right to be treated as a human.

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As previously mentioned, Taylor’s biocentrism argument positions non-human animals as teleological centres of life with an objective good of their own. In accordance with Taylor’s biocentric outlook on nature, non-human animals have legal rights. While he does not claim that these non-human animals have moral rights, he believes that these moral rights should be applied to nonhuman animals (Taylor, 218). If animals can be seen as teleological centers of life, then they ought to have legal rights. Since Taylor states that all living things have equal inherent worth, humans, acting as rational moral agents, are required to respect the moral equality of teleological centers of life and give the same respect to non-human animals that they do to human beings.

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Grendel was a wise man and didn't mind a fight. Grendel was hairy, muscular and smelled like a onions on a sunny day. Several people followed him because of his confidence and his arrogant ways. His peers could smell his cockiness from a mile away. People didn't understand why he was so mean

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In Gary Francione and Anna Charlton’s argument, it presents a valid, but unsound argument. The argument has 5 premises that lead to the conclusion of the argument. Premise one explains animal have some moral value, but less then a human. This can be seen as a anthropocentric view for it as human centered focus and clearly states that humans have more value than non-humans. In the Anthropocentric environmental ethnics reading, the author states, “…Nature has made all things for the sake of man” (Murray, Anthropocentric environmental studies ethnics, pg. 1).

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One topic that many scholars are debating right now is the topic of animal rights. The questions are, on what basis are rights given, and do animals possess rights? Two prominent scholars, Tom Regan and Tibor Machan, each give compelling arguments about animal rights, Regan for them and Machan against them. Machan makes the sharp statement, “Animals have no rights need no liberation” (Machan, p. 480). This statement was made in direct opposition to Regan who says, “Reason compels us to recognize the equal inherent value of these animals and, with this, their equal right to be treated with respect” (Regan, p. 477).

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Peter Singer’s article, “Speciesism and the Equality of Animals,” claims that human beings should apply the principle of equal consideration of interests to nonhuman beings as well as human beings, and Singer asserts that the capacity for suffering is an important characteristic that gives a human or nonhuman being the right to equal consideration. Simply put, human beings should treat other human beings and nonhuman beings equally. Peter Singer, the Australian philosopher, defines speciesism “as a prejudice or attitude of bias toward the interests of members of one’s own species and against those members of other species” (277); therefore, Singer’s principle of equal consideration of interests is extremely valuable because it sheds insight against speciesism, such that speciesism is similar to racism and sexism. Peter Singer begins his argument against speciesism by agreeing with the philosopher, Jeremy Bentham, that a full-grown horse or dog is a more of a conversable and rational animal than a newborn child (Bentham qtd. in Singer 278).

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In human history, a number of oppressed groups have campaigned for equality, demanding for an expansion on the moral view of life, and to be treated fairly in the eye of consideration. This means that when the matter concerns this group, their voices are heard, and treated with value, and consideration. Where this equality is not determined by an assembly of facts like that group’s collective intelligence level, the colour of their skin, or the physical strength of their bodies. This is what Peter Singer brings up in his essay: “All Animals are Equal”, that non-human animals should have equal consideration with humans when matters concern them. Going into a specific set of non-human animals known as primates, I argue that primates should have some of the fundamental rights and equal consideration that are given to humans.

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281 Words | 2 Pages

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Without this knowledge and level of respect, any action can be justified because it’s “just another animal”. The theory of evolution justifies this mindset, bringing more persecution to the unborn, elderly, and mentally disturbed. This destructive idea ruins lives and must be struck down. Because God created human beings in his image, all people have should respect the rights and dignity of

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