Morals, Reason, and Animals is a 1987 book by American philosopher Steve F. Sapontzis, that examines whether humans should give moral consideration to nonhuman animals and the practical implications of this.
Sapontzis argues that nonhuman animals have interests, and that it is the existence of these interests that justifies their inclusion in the moral community. He writes that human beings should extend to animals the same moral protection for the latter's interests that we enjoy for our own. Sapontzis argues further that the burden of proof should shift toward those who argue against equal consideration for animals:
Aristotle thought that men were naturally superior to women and Greeks naturally superior to other races; Victorians thought white men had to shoulder the burden of being superior to savages; and Nazis thought Aryans were a master race. We have come to reject these and many other supposedly natural hierarchies; the history of what we consider moral progress can be viewed as, in large part, the replacement of hierarchical worldviews with a presumption in favor of forms of egalitarianism. This substitution places the burden of proof on those who would deny equal consideration to the interests of all concerned, rather than on those who seek such consideration. Consequently, some reason is needed to justify the fairness of maintaining a hierarchical worldview when we are dealing with animals.[1]
The claim that rationality should be prerequisite for moral consideration is challenged by Sapontzis, who argues that the experience of pain is not greater if an individual is more intelligent and that the opposite may well be the case, as individuals who lack the capacity to understand why they are experiencing pain in a certain situation may suffer more as a result.[2]
Sapontzis also investigates the issue of wild animal suffering and whether humans have an obligation to help these animals. He questions the view that aiding these individuals is ridiculous or absurd, instead arguing that if we have the means to help an individual suffering in such a situation, we should do so; as long as we do not inflict a greater harm in the process. Sapontzis makes a clear distinction between his antispeciesist position and that of environmentalists who are against helping animals suffering in these situations.[2] These ideas were anteceded by his 1984 paper, "Predation".[3]
Referencesedit
^Sapontzis, Steve F. (1981). Morals, Reason, and Animals. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Temple University Press. p. 107. ISBN978-0-87-722493-8.
^ ab"30 years since the publication of Morals, reason and animals". Animal Ethics. 25 July 2017. Retrieved 2020-04-24.
^Sapontzis, Steve (1984). "Predation". Ethics and Animals. 5 (2). doi:10.15368/ea.1984v5n2.1. ISSN 0197-9094.
Further readingedit
De Roose, Frank (March 1988). "Steve F. Sapontzis, "Morals, Reason, and Animals."". Philosophy in Review. 8 (3): 110–113.
Chopra, Sudhir (2020-05-12). "Morals, Reasons, and Animals". Denver Journal of International Law & Policy. 17 (2). ISSN 0196-2035.
Nelson, James (1990-10-01). "Critical Notice of Morals, Reason, and Animals". Between the Species. 6 (4). doi:10.15368/bts.1990v6n4.11.
Smith, Jane A (September 1991). "Morals, Reason and Animals". Journal of Medical Ethics. 17 (3): 167. doi:10.1136/jme.17.3.167. ISSN 0306-6800. PMC1376044.
January 01, 1970
morals, reason, animals, 1987, book, american, philosopher, steve, sapontzis, that, examines, whether, humans, should, give, moral, consideration, nonhuman, animals, practical, implications, this, authorsteve, sapontzislanguageenglishsubjectanimal, ethicspubli. Morals Reason and Animals is a 1987 book by American philosopher Steve F Sapontzis that examines whether humans should give moral consideration to nonhuman animals and the practical implications of this Morals Reason and AnimalsAuthorSteve F SapontzisLanguageEnglishSubjectAnimal ethicsPublished1987PublisherTemple University PressMedia typePaperbackPagesxix 302ISBN978 0 87722 493 8OCLC802995461Content editSapontzis argues that nonhuman animals have interests and that it is the existence of these interests that justifies their inclusion in the moral community He writes that human beings should extend to animals the same moral protection for the latter s interests that we enjoy for our own Sapontzis argues further that the burden of proof should shift toward those who argue against equal consideration for animals Aristotle thought that men were naturally superior to women and Greeks naturally superior to other races Victorians thought white men had to shoulder the burden of being superior to savages and Nazis thought Aryans were a master race We have come to reject these and many other supposedly natural hierarchies the history of what we consider moral progress can be viewed as in large part the replacement of hierarchical worldviews with a presumption in favor of forms of egalitarianism This substitution places the burden of proof on those who would deny equal consideration to the interests of all concerned rather than on those who seek such consideration Consequently some reason is needed to justify the fairness of maintaining a hierarchical worldview when we are dealing with animals 1 The claim that rationality should be prerequisite for moral consideration is challenged by Sapontzis who argues that the experience of pain is not greater if an individual is more intelligent and that the opposite may well be the case as individuals who lack the capacity to understand why they are experiencing pain in a certain situation may suffer more as a result 2 Sapontzis also investigates the issue of wild animal suffering and whether humans have an obligation to help these animals He questions the view that aiding these individuals is ridiculous or absurd instead arguing that if we have the means to help an individual suffering in such a situation we should do so as long as we do not inflict a greater harm in the process Sapontzis makes a clear distinction between his antispeciesist position and that of environmentalists who are against helping animals suffering in these situations 2 These ideas were anteceded by his 1984 paper Predation 3 References edit Sapontzis Steve F 1981 Morals Reason and Animals Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple University Press p 107 ISBN 978 0 87 722493 8 a b 30 years since the publication of Morals reason and animals Animal Ethics 25 July 2017 Retrieved 2020 04 24 Sapontzis Steve 1984 Predation Ethics and Animals 5 2 doi 10 15368 ea 1984v5n2 1 ISSN 0197 9094 Further reading editDe Roose Frank March 1988 Steve F Sapontzis Morals Reason and Animals Philosophy in Review 8 3 110 113 Chopra Sudhir 2020 05 12 Morals Reasons and Animals Denver Journal of International Law amp Policy 17 2 ISSN 0196 2035 Nelson James 1990 10 01 Critical Notice of Morals Reason and Animals Between the Species 6 4 doi 10 15368 bts 1990v6n4 11 Smith Jane A September 1991 Morals Reason and Animals Journal of Medical Ethics 17 3 167 doi 10 1136 jme 17 3 167 ISSN 0306 6800 PMC 1376044 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Morals Reason and Animals amp oldid 1136168171, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
