Donna Yarri
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- July 2005
- ISBN:
- 9780195181791
- eISBN:
- 9780199835744
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0195181794.001.0001
- Subject:
- Religion, Religion and Society
The ethical treatment of animals is one of serious academic interest today. Specifically, both the practice of animal experimentation and ethical concerns about it have a long history, going ...
More
The ethical treatment of animals is one of serious academic interest today. Specifically, both the practice of animal experimentation and ethical concerns about it have a long history, going virtually back to the ancient Greek period and continuing to the present day. With new breakthroughs in science and technology, it is likely that this practice will be with us for a long time to come. Thus, this book provides an interdisciplinary approach to the topic by utilizing the insights of cognitive ethology, philosophy, science, and Christian theology in order to present a benign approach to the ethical treatment of experimental animals. The reality and existence of animal minds, animal pain, and animal suffering provide the foundation for animal rights, and subsequently, for more positive treatment. Concrete suggestions are offered with regard to more humane animal legislation, improved animal husbandry conditions, as well as concrete guidelines that offset the burdens to animals against the benefits to humans. The ultimate result is a more humane practice in experimentation, modeled somewhat on the practice of pet keeping, in which experimental animals are viewed not only as having instrumental value but intrinsic value as well.Less
The ethical treatment of animals is one of serious academic interest today. Specifically, both the practice of animal experimentation and ethical concerns about it have a long history, going virtually back to the ancient Greek period and continuing to the present day. With new breakthroughs in science and technology, it is likely that this practice will be with us for a long time to come. Thus, this book provides an interdisciplinary approach to the topic by utilizing the insights of cognitive ethology, philosophy, science, and Christian theology in order to present a benign approach to the ethical treatment of experimental animals. The reality and existence of animal minds, animal pain, and animal suffering provide the foundation for animal rights, and subsequently, for more positive treatment. Concrete suggestions are offered with regard to more humane animal legislation, improved animal husbandry conditions, as well as concrete guidelines that offset the burdens to animals against the benefits to humans. The ultimate result is a more humane practice in experimentation, modeled somewhat on the practice of pet keeping, in which experimental animals are viewed not only as having instrumental value but intrinsic value as well.
Donna Yarri
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- July 2005
- ISBN:
- 9780195181791
- eISBN:
- 9780199835744
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0195181794.003.0001
- Subject:
- Religion, Religion and Society
The ethical treatment of animals in general, and in particular the issue of animal experimentation, continues to be a disputed moral issue. This chapter surveys the history of the use of animals in ...
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The ethical treatment of animals in general, and in particular the issue of animal experimentation, continues to be a disputed moral issue. This chapter surveys the history of the use of animals in experimentation, beginning with the ancient Greek period and going through the contemporary era. It presents the history of experimentation as well the eventual opposition to it on the part of some. The chapter concludes by laying out how the book will proceed, which addresses the following topics: animal legislation, animal minds, animal sentience, animal rights, Christian theology and its perspective on animals, and the burdens and benefits of animal experimentation.Less
The ethical treatment of animals in general, and in particular the issue of animal experimentation, continues to be a disputed moral issue. This chapter surveys the history of the use of animals in experimentation, beginning with the ancient Greek period and going through the contemporary era. It presents the history of experimentation as well the eventual opposition to it on the part of some. The chapter concludes by laying out how the book will proceed, which addresses the following topics: animal legislation, animal minds, animal sentience, animal rights, Christian theology and its perspective on animals, and the burdens and benefits of animal experimentation.
Cheshire Calhoun
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- June 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780199699575
- eISBN:
- 9780191793035
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199699575.003.0011
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Moral Philosophy
Kant famously claimed that we have no direct duties to animals and that animals are things that (within limits) we may dispose of at will. Kantian moral philosophers have sometimes called this a ...
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Kant famously claimed that we have no direct duties to animals and that animals are things that (within limits) we may dispose of at will. Kantian moral philosophers have sometimes called this a repugnant moral doctrine. This chapter begins by distinguishing three ethical concerns one might have with respect to animals: taking into account animals’ interests, adopting a non-instrumentalist valuing attitude toward animals, and avoiding ingratitude, mockery, unfairness and the like. Utilitarianism is well designed to address only the first of the three ethical concerns. Drawing on Kant’s comments about the analogies between animals and humans, this chapter argues that there are good Kantian reasons for valuing animals, for not discounting their interests, and for not regarding them purely instrumentally. The chapter also argues that even if one is not obligated to respond to animals gratefully, fairly, respectfully, and the like, there is nevertheless a moral defect in not doing so.Less
Kant famously claimed that we have no direct duties to animals and that animals are things that (within limits) we may dispose of at will. Kantian moral philosophers have sometimes called this a repugnant moral doctrine. This chapter begins by distinguishing three ethical concerns one might have with respect to animals: taking into account animals’ interests, adopting a non-instrumentalist valuing attitude toward animals, and avoiding ingratitude, mockery, unfairness and the like. Utilitarianism is well designed to address only the first of the three ethical concerns. Drawing on Kant’s comments about the analogies between animals and humans, this chapter argues that there are good Kantian reasons for valuing animals, for not discounting their interests, and for not regarding them purely instrumentally. The chapter also argues that even if one is not obligated to respond to animals gratefully, fairly, respectfully, and the like, there is nevertheless a moral defect in not doing so.
