Singer's Ethical Theories and Animal Rights

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Questions and Answers

What does Singer argue is the problem with deontological approaches to ethics?

Singer argues that deontological approaches to ethics are impractical and have to "rescue" themselves from their inapplicability to real-world moral issues.

How does Singer define utilitarianism?

"The classical utilitarian regards an action as right if it produces as much or more of an increase in the happiness of all affected by it than any alternative action, and wrong if does not."

What is Singer's view on animal welfare?

Singer's view about animal rights theory has had a profound impact on the animal rights movement.

Singer believes people should stop all animal exploitation immediately.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Rollin agrees that it's possible to achieve animal rights in our current culture.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is `speciesism`?

Speciesism is a form of discrimination that arbitrarily excludes humans from the scope of moral concern, often based on perceived differences in species capabilities. Signup and view all the answers

Singer believes that animals have rights.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between Singer's approach and classical animal welfare?

Singer's approach is more favorable towards animals than classical animal welfare. Signup and view all the answers

Singer advocates for a theory of animal rights.

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Singer believes that the end justifies the means.

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Singer believes that the language of rights is irrelevant.

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What is Singer's notion of equal consideration?

Singer argues for equal consideration of interests, but not equal treatment in all circumstances such as the use of humans for human goals. Signup and view all the answers

What is `new welfarism`?

'New welfarism' is a position that advocates for incremental welfarist reform as a realistic means of reducing suffering and eventually achieving abolition of animal exploitation. Signup and view all the answers

How do Singer's views on animal liberation differ from those of animal rights advocates?

Singer's goal is animal liberation, which focuses on achieving a state of affairs where all animals are treated equally, while animal rights advocates focus on establishing fundamental inalienable rights for animals. Signup and view all the answers

What are Tom Regan's arguments for animal rights?

Regan argues that nonhuman animals are subjects of a life, who have inherent value and are moral patients with rights that should be respected. Signup and view all the answers

What is the `respect principle`?

The respect principle states that no individual with equal inherent value may be treated solely as a means to an end. Signup and view all the answers

What are `basic rights` according to Shue?

Basic rights are rights that are essential for the enjoyment of any other rights and cannot be sacrificed for the sake of other non-basic rights. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Regan condemn the use of animals in experiments?

Regan condemns the use of animals in experiments, food production, clothing, and entertainment because he believes it violates the respect principle, treating animals as means to an end rather than as moral patients who deserve to be respected. Signup and view all the answers

How are Singer's and Regan's theories alike and different?

Both Singer and Regan prioritize the abolition of animal exploitation but differ in their arguments and approaches. Regan uses a rights-based theory and prioritizes a focus on inherent value and respect for animals. Singer, on the other hand, advocates for a utilitarian approach that prioritizes balancing the consequences for both animals and humans. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three components of moral theory?

The three components of moral theory are: the ideal state the theory seeks to achieve, guidance for individuals on a personal level, and how to achieve incremental change towards the desired goal. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between Regan's and Singer's theories regarding the abolition of animal exploitation?

Regan advocates for the complete abolition of all forms of animal exploitation, while Singer, relying on utilitarianism, believes that specific types of exploitation might be justified if they result in a greater good overall. Signup and view all the answers

What is Regan's theory of abolition?

Regan's theory of abolition requires the complete abolition of all institutionalized forms of animal exploitation, including those involving food, experimentation, clothing, and entertainment. Signup and view all the answers

Singer's theory allows for a complete abolition of animal exploitation.

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How does Singer's view on the morality of killing animals relate to the concept of equal worth?

While Singer rejects speciesism and proposes that all beings should be considered equally, he also maintains that "[r]ejection of speciesism does not imply that all lives are of equal worth." Signup and view all the answers

Singer believes that it is permissible to eat animals raised under intensive farming conditions, provided they are slaughtered humanely.

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What are the six main arguments against Singer's theory?

The six main arguments against Singer's theory are: its reliance on empirical evidence, its difficulty in making inter-species comparisons, its ambiguous analytic framework, its acceptance of capacity-based distinctions, its formalistic rejection of speciesism, and its unclear application of act utilitarianism. Signup and view all the answers

What are the main criticisms of Regan's theory?

Regan's theory has been criticized for its absolutist nature, its lack of clear guidelines for resolving conflicts, and its difficulty in addressing real-world situations, particularly those involving human-animal interactions. Signup and view all the answers

How does Regan's theory compare to Singer's in terms of its practical applications?

Regan's theory provides a clearer and more practical guideline for addressing the institutionalized exploitation of animals than Singer's theory, which often leads to confusion and uncertainty in real-world scenarios. Signup and view all the answers

Singer's goal is the achievement of animal rights.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Regan's theory provides clear guidance on how to achieve change on the micro-level.

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Singer's theory provides clear guidance on how to achieve change on the macro-level.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Rights theorists believe that incremental change is essential for achieving animal rights.

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Singer believes that incremental change towards animal rights is possible.

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Regan believes that incremental change is possible.

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What is the main challenge for animal rights advocates?

They face a challenge in convincing people, including those who support animal welfare, that institutionalized animal exploitation is morally wrong and must be abolished. Signup and view all the answers

Rights advocates support the immediate abolition of animal exploitation based on violent action.

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Singer believes that animal rights should be achieved through political reforms.

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Singer and Regan agree on what constitutes animal liberation.

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Singer and Regan agree that the use of animals for food, clothing, and entertainment is morally unacceptable.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Singer's Utilitarianism

A moral theory where the rightness or wrongness of an action is determined by its consequences, focusing on maximizing happiness and well-being for all affected.

Deontological Approaches

Ethical frameworks based on rules and duties, often emphasizing rights and principles.

Preference/Interest Utilitarianism

A type of utilitarianism that considers the fulfillment of preferences and interests, not just pleasure, as morally valuable.

Speciesism

The belief that the interests of members of one's own species are more important than the interests of other species.