morality and moral behavior

what is morality

a human construct of rules and exceptions rooted in biological need for survival

what does morals describes

ones own particular values concering what is right and what is wrong

ethics

can refer broadly to larger principles

-element of universal fairness

what is moral philosophy

the study of morality and the theories that are used to arrive at decisions about what one ought to do and why

what is animal ethics

the study of theories used to arrive at decitions about what humans ought to do towards animals and why

is there evidence of moral philosophy in the past

yes in literature of acirnt civilizaions humans created rules for community and made it moral rule like farmers must share grain with the poor.

what did ancient greek philosophers say

that if we know what is right then we will do what is right, did not see the value in animals saw a hierarchy

who is Mencius

chinese philosopher

• argued that human nature is good

• -story of kind and ox (sheep killed)

• STARTED spread of idea that animals can experience pain

Avicenna

Argued that an action can be viewed as moral if it follows a shared rule

-during his time animals still seen as objects for humans but animals do have sensory capabilities

Rene descartes

-french philosopher

-Argued that human ethics are based on rational thought(so babies blank slate)

**denied that animals have intelligence or capability to reason

David Hume

Argued that human ethics are based on emotions and feelings of right and wrong

• argued my analogy that since animal behavior resembles human behavior, animals are capable of forming expressions of emotions

Immanuel kant

argued that an action is moral if done from a sense of duty(follows a rule) and can be applies to all people (universability)

-Humans are never to be used as a means to another’s end

what did Immanuel kant argue about animals

that animals dont have morals since they cant act on rules they act in instincts, animals dont have moral reason so dont have bodoly autonomy

-said that animals are teh same as plants we can continue to use them and not be concerned about our moral behavior twards them because they have no concept they are being treated poorly

Jeremy bentham

-Argued that rigth and wrong actions are to be determined based on consequences of thoes actions

-said it is the ability to suffer not ability to reason is the bench mark for moral consideration

example of lying what would Jeremy bentham say and what would immanuel kant say

Jeremy would say that lying can be viewed as moral if it benefits many people

-kant would say no thats a rule we dont lie to each other chaoes will arise

Mary Midgley

-english philosopher

-argued that since humans are animals too morality is rooted in our shared evolutionary and social nature

-said emotions is just as important as reason when it comes to eithics( and animals experience emotions)

Philippa foot

-argued that humans act morally for the benefits

-created the ethical thought experiment:Trolley problem

what is the Trolley problem experiment

what is morally acceptable behavior? is it ethical to pull lever if one human is on one track and 5 on the other or one gorilla and 5 people or 1 gorilla and 5 puppies