Moral Philosophy Final Exam - Topic 1 - Ethical Veganism

Moral Agent

A being that has duties towards others, has moral standing, and is a rational agent

Moral Patient

A being who can be wronged and is owed moral consideration, even if they cannot act morally themselves (animals or children)

Precautionary Principle of Animal Suffering

If we are unsure of whether an animal is capable of suffering, we should assume that they can

Speciesism

The view that it is morally justified to discriminate by species

How does classical utilitarianism apply to ethical veganism?

They say it is morally required to maximize happiness, they believe in impartiality, that we should not distinguish between different species happiness

Anti-Complicity Principle

It is typically wrong to benefit by cooperating with wrongful elements of others plans, ex. factory farms

The Modest Ethical Principle

It is typically wrong to contribute to a practice that causes animals significant suffering without a strong justification

McPherson’s Argument for Ethical Veganism

1. It is typically wrong to contribute to a practice that causes animals significant suffering without a strong justification

2. Modern animal agriculture causes animals significant suffering

3. Consuming animal products contributes to this practice

4. “Liking the taste” or “convenience” are not sufficiently strong justifications

5. Therefore, it is typically wrong to consume animal products

The Causal Impotence Objection to McPherson

The argument that an individual’s choice to be vegan has no actual impact on the supply chain or the number of animals slaughtered.

McPherson’s Response to the Causal Impotence Objection

He suggests that while one person's impact is small, there is a threshold effect; eventually, enough individual choices trigger a reduction in production. He also argues it is wrong to participate in a "wrongful collective practice" even if your specific contribution is negligible.

The Humane Defense to McPherson

The claim that it is morally permissible to eat animals if they are raised and slaughtered in a way that minimizes or eliminates suffering.

McPherson’s Response to the Humane Defense

He argues that even "humane" farms often involve painful procedures (like castration or separation of offspring) and that killing a being with a valuable life is itself a harm, regardless of the pain involved.

Marginal Cases Argument

The argument that if we justify harming animals based on their lack of "human-level" rationality, we would logically have to accept harming "marginal" humans (infants or the severely cognitively disabled) who lack those same traits.

Ethical Veganism

The view that we have a moral obligation to refrain from consuming or using animal products.