Utilitarianism and Speciesism

A detailed Summary of Utilitarianism and Speciesism

People sometimes do not consider the feelings of animals when making decisions. As a result, animals are constantly injured or killed in today's society. Animals are sentient beings that deserve happiness, and humans should recognize their feelings and rights. In this paper, I will argue that we need to adopt animal rights ethics by explaining utilitarian principles and by critiquing egoistic, religious, ethical subjectivist, and anthropocentric viewpoints on the issue.

Utilitarian ethics looks at what will cause the greatest happiness for the greatest number of beings. Utilitarianism is a teleological theory, focusing on the consequences of actions instead of the actions themselves. According to utilitarianism, all sentient beings should be given consideration in society. This includes both humans and animals, which can feel both pain and pleasure. In today's society, animals are used for test subjects, food, clothing, etc. and are sometimes harmed in the process. Their pain in these situations should be taken into consideration.

Metaphysical dualists, believers in anthropocentrism, state that humans are the center of the universe and are the most significant beings. Supported by Darwinism, metaphysical dualists be

Ethical subjectivism is sometimes used to argue against animal rights. Ethical subjectivists believe that morality is relative. In other words, what is right or wrong depends on the beliefs of the individual person. Thus, people say that it is all right for another person to become a vegetarian, but they do not wish for that person to impose their views on others. Yet, some moral values should be universal. Slavery, for example, may have continued if people viewed its morality as a matter of opinion. Likewise, being kind to sentient beings should be a universal value.

Some individuals claim that animal rights would mean giving both humans and animals equal treatment. This would entail allowing them to go to school, run for office, vote, etc. However, there are differences between humans and animals. Animals would gain no pleasure from these activities. Just as children would not be capable or derive pleasure from holding a public office, neither would animals. Thus, animal-rights involves taking into account the interests of all sentient beings and doing what would be best for them.

Animals are often harmed or killed by humans. Utilitarianism stresses the importance of happiness for all sentient beings. Animals are capable of feeling both pain and pleasure, and should thus be treated with care.

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Approximate Word count = 910
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History

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Utilitarianism and Speciesism

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