Singer: Non-Human Animals

What word does Peter Singer use to describe the preference of one species over another?

• Preferential Treatment

• Speciesism

• Morally Ambivelant Behaviour

• Objective Subjectivity

Why does Singer say we should not mistreat animals?

• Animals are morally superior to man

• If it is not okay to treat humans this way, we shouldn't treat animals like it either

• Most animals should not be mistreated; others can be

• If the animal is a pet, we should treat them well; if it isn't, then it is okay to mistreat them

What difference do people use to try to explain why it is ok to mistreat animals?

• Animals lack intelligence

• Animals lack affection

• Animals lack morality

• Animals cannot form attachments like humans can

What does Carl Cohen call himself? 

• Species Connoisseur

• Special Speciest

• Proud Speciest

• Survivalist

What is Carl Cohen's argument involving speciesism? 

• The species at the top of the food chain needs to look out for those at the bottom

• Species must learn to live together

• Every species ought to be most concerned about protecting itself

• One species can never be at the top of the food chain

What is a problem with the survival argument for eating meat?

• Meat provides very little protein for muscle growth

• It is impossible to attain enough meat to survive

• Animal meat is actually bad for you (reduces survivabilty)

• We don't require meat to be healthy

What does Singer mean by equal consideration of interests?

• Identical interests should be given equal weight, regardless of what type of being they occur in

• All interests are equal, regardless of whether they are identical

• Considering the interests of animals is important

• The interests of humans are more important than the interests of animals

What interest do we all share?

• The desire to be loved

• The desire to avoid pain

• The desire to talk / communicate

• The desire to be happy

According to Singer, when can you eat an animal? 

• If the animal is not endangered

• Once a month

• When it is a special festival

• When you are starving

What do philosophers want you to be consistent with?

• Your tastes

• Your beliefs

• Your love for animals

• Your desire to save the world