Situation Ethics and Animal Experimentation

Application to Issue

How can personalism be extended to animals in SE?

Animals display many 'indicators of personhood' such as sentience, self-awareness, capacity to experience happiness, pleasure, pain, and stress, making them closer to humans than previously thought.

How does SE view animal cruelty?

SE considers the suffering caused by some animal experimentation (e.g., vivisection) ethically problematic and not simply justified by potential benefits.

How does SE handle the pressures from capitalist competition in animal experimentation?

SE criticizes economic incentives that lead to increased animal suffering due to competition and lack of cooperation and sharing.

How does SE view cosmetic testing on animals?

SE would likely favour animal welfare over economic benefits due to the limited overall benefits of cosmetics.

Ethical Considerations

What is agape in the context of animal ethics?

Unconditional love extended to all living things.

How does SE view the balance between human wellbeing and animal welfare?

Human wellbeing always takes priority over animal welfare, but the most loving consequence should reflect genuine care for both.

How does SE address cultural relativism in animal experimentation?

SE acknowledges different cultural attitudes and practices, aiming for the most loving outcome acceptable to those involved.

What would situation ethics say about the well-being of animals?

A situation ethicist would likely emphasise the principle of showing compassion and minimising harm to sentient animals. They would argue that “Love is the only good” and may argue that based on pragmatism there are other solutions other than experimenting on animals that are sentient.

What would situation ethics say about animals’ sentience and cognitive skills?

The situation ethicist would consider the fact that animals used in experimentation possess sentience, social organisation, and cognitive skills. These are all elements of Fletcher’s criteria for personhood. This warrants the question of whether animals have intrinsic value and whether we should extend the principle of personalism to them.

What would situation ethics say about balancing human benefits with animal rights?

Situation ethics emphasises a balance between promoting human well-being and considering the well-being of other beings. They would agree with balance based on the principle of pragmatism and positivism (finding practical solutions and not being distracted by abstract ideals). They would also argue that balance maximises love.

What would situation ethics say about consent and rights?

A situation ethicist might consider the issue of consent and whether animals should have certain rights that protect them from unnecessary harm. They would agree with laws for protecting animals as they are pragmatic and maximise love.

What would situation ethics evaluate about humane treatment and alternatives?

The ethicist would likely explore whether experiments can be conducted with humane treatment, minimising pain and distress for animals. They would also consider whether alternative methods, such as non-animal testing techniques, could achieve similar scientific advancements. They would argue that experiments that are more humane promote love and are better; and would argue that alternative methods are even better as they maximise love for the most people.

What would situation ethics say about cooperation and sharing?

Situation ethics emphasises cooperation and social responsibility. The ethicist would likely agree that collaboration between countries and companies to share research results could help reduce the overall impact of animal experimentation and lead to more ethical practices. It would also lead to less experiments needing to be performed. This is pragmatic.

What would situation ethics say about capitalist competition?

The situation ethicist would consider the potential conflict between capitalist competition and ethical considerations. They would likely say that economic incentives hinder cooperation and sharing, leading to increased animal suffering. This goes against the principles of pragmatism and positivism as it is getting distracted by the abstract ideal of money.

What would situation ethics say about animal cloning?

The ethicist would assess the ethical implications of animal cloning, and may argue it raises concerns about the slippery slope toward human cloning and the potential moral consequences of that progression. Animal cloning may not maximise the greatest good as it may lead to consequences of human cloning.

What would situation ethics say about pragmatic solutions?

Situation ethics often considers practical solutions that align with ethical principles. The ethicist would explore ways to conduct necessary research while minimising harm to animals and promoting alternatives that better align with compassion and well-being. This follows the principle of pragmatism and “love is the only good” and “justice is love distributed”.

Critical Points

What are the strengths of SE concerning animal experimentation and cloning?

A deontological approach can ignore ethical limits preventing life-saving treatments (whereas Situation Ethics is consequentialist so wouldn’t have this problem), more acceptable to those directly affected, and calculating agape can develop ethical faculties and character.

What are the weaknesses of SE concerning animal experimentation and cloning?

Difficult to apply in all situations, may produce unacceptable decisions to stakeholders, and easier to modify ethical rules over time than deciding each case individually.