Philosophical Thinking: Humans and Animals

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Philosophical thinking is diverse on the subject of whether human beings should grant moral status to animals and moreover, what place animals should be given in an acceptable moral system. The proper treatment and direct moral concern of animals is viewed by some philosophers as being unwarranted, as the use of animals by human beings is considered part of the natural process of life. In contrast, other philosophers view animals in a similar light as human beings. These philosophers believe that animals have the capacity to feel both positive and negative emotions or sensations and can suffer in the same manners as human beings, and are therefore deserving of moral status. This essay will discuss these two conflicting views towards the proper treatment of animals, analyzing Aristotle’s views towards the moral status of animals and his belief that non-human animals do not possess the capacity to reason and therefore should be denied moral status. Furthermore, this essay will compare and contrast Aristotle’s views with those of Jeremy Bentham, defending Bentham’s view that the ability to suffer rather than the ability to reason should set the standard for who or what should acquire moral status.
It is evident that a natural hierarchy of living beings exists within our world, with human beings placed at the top. A living being’s capacity or ability to experience, do or understand something according to their specific nature determines where they will be categorized in this natural hierarchy. While beings such as plants, animals and humans all possess the capability of taking in nutrients to aid in growth and overall life, it is only animals and human beings that have the capacity to be consciously aware of differing life ex...

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...s acceptable to use animals for certain human requirements such as food as long as the animal is raised in a humane way, treated in a morally permissible manner during its lifetime, and killed using a painless method.
In conclusion, while human beings are given a privileged place over animals in the natural hierarchy of morally significant beings, it is not permissible to suggest that animals do not deserve moral status. Aristotle’s views that non-human animals do not possess the capacity to reason and therefore should be denied moral status should be disregarded in favour of Bentham’s view that non-human animals have the capability to perceive pain and pleasure, whether or not they can verbally communicated these feelings, as well as the capability of suffering and therefore should be regarded in an obligatory manner and treated with moral respect or status.

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