Animal rights

1) No, Animals have no moral rights - humans hold no moral obligation to animals

2) Yes, Animals have moral status and deserve to be treated with respect - but less than humans

3) Yes, Animals have the same moral status as humans - and therefore are entitled to the same respect as humans are!

For

• We are superior beings so we can do what we like
• We require food to survive
• Some animals breed for food purposes
• It's part of the natural order

Against

• We dont need meat to survive
• Animals deserve the basic right to life
• Many animals are reered in poor conditions
• Many animals are killed in brutal ways

For

• Prevent livestock damage
• restores natural balance
• no loss of food sources
• removes threats to human life

Against

• Financial Gain
• No right to interfere
• good alternatives
• brutal methods
• not effective in the long run

For

• Human life is more valuable
• we gain information
• minimal pain
• useful for medicines

Against

• right to life
• unnecessary suffering
• gain benefit in other ways

For

• Preserve endangered species
• raise awareness
• dominion
• safe environment

Against

• Captivity Breeding
• lack rights
• inprisoned animals
• consider inferior

For

• Preservation
• Breeding
• Behaviour training
• Education

Against

• Entertainment is wrong
• virtual online zoos
• cramped living conditions

For

• Treated better as pets
• learn behaviour
• behave
• create relationships

Against

• Humans have no rights to captivate animals
• lots are abandoned
• no natural habitat
• no freedom

For

• Animal Sacrifices
• Sacrifices greater
• Significance = Moksha

Against

• Ahimsa
• Law of Manu - Protect which condemned the use of Animals for food
• Brahman present in all things
• Vegetarians
• Samsara - reincarnation - could come back as animal so shouldn't be killed for food

For

• Dominion
• Humans are superior to animals - like God is superior to us

Against

• Stewardship
• St Francis of Assisi - Patron Saint of Animals
• Created by God - sort of like Sanctity of life?

For

• Animal sacrifices
• significance = Moksha

Against

• Ahimsa
• Protect the law of Manu - condemns killing for food
• Brahman present in all things
• Vegetarians
• Samsara - reincarnation - animals = people = respect

For

• Only for food

Against

• Stewardship
• Deuteronomy
• Adam named animals - responsible
• Hunting forbidden