Biological Basis of Morality (Animals) - Essay Example

Biological Basis of Morality (Animals) On reading the article it becomes apparent to me that primarily morality in animals is biological in nature. This is because animals are gifted with instinctive rationale and not intellectual faculties like Homo sapiens. Since humans possess a highly developed intellect, they can distinguish between good and evil at a conscious level and, therefore, can take decisions based on their judgment. Animals, on the other hand, are guided by ‘programmed behavior’ and trained methodologies.

A trained animal has a higher level of grasping power and intelligence than that possessed by animals living in their natural habitat in the jungle kingdom. Animals in circuses can, through programmed behavior, produce incredible performances due to constant practice and strict regimen. These aspects have been discussed in detail in the article through which a reader becomes able to clearly understand the author’s perspective.In general, animals mainly cater to their biological needs like food, sleep, urge for procreation and fear.

These are the four factors that the animals share with humans but when one considers the intellectual aspects animals are not bestowed with this faculty. Thus whatever they do depends on their biological needs as emerging from the article, without having an influence from psychological or philosophical needs as opposed to humans. It can be seen that animals do certain activity as discussed below which is common to humans; but how they do it is different because while all acts of animals stem from their biological structure, humans are also motivated and guided by their intellect.

I will illustrate below how the arguments in the article are supported from examining the acts common to humans and animals, and how they differ in the context of morality in both groups: -Food: Both animals and humans have to work for satisfying their hunger. While animals hunt for food, human beings work to earn their livelihood. The biological urges in animals force them to kill weaker animals and birds to satisfy their hunger. Therefore, it can be stated that the biological structure is what makes them do this activity.

Humans, on the other hand, do not kill out of a biological need to satisfy hunger; if at all a human being kills, it is after a lot of meditation, for a specific purpose and not necessarily to quell his hunger.Sleep:Sleep is essential for all living beings. It is during this period that they recharge their mental and physical capacities to prepare themselves for work to be performed during the next day. A human being needs a minimum of 8 hours sleep every 24 hours, but animals need lesser sleep.

Thus we find that sleep, a biological element also plays a significant part in determination of animal life and morality. Human beings possess the ability to control their sleeping hours depending on their working requirements (for example: a person doing a night shift). Animals do not ordinarily do this, and sleep when it naturally comes to them.Urges for procreation: Sexual urge is common in all living beings. The procreation urges in animals, however, are open and overt and do not conform to any set of social conduct, as viewed by humans and depends, largely, upon natural instincts.

Man, on the other hand, follows some ethical codes, respects social norms and moral restrictions laid down by society. Further, sexual act serves only as a biological purpose of procreation in animals whereas men indulge in it for enjoyment and not always for reproduction.Fear:The fear complex in animals governs their behavior pattern and also dictates the dominance factor and acceptance of authority. Hence the theory of survival of the fittest applies in the animal kingdom. Similarly animals also fear human beings.

This fear is rather a biological perception as opposed to the apprehension of the power humans do possess. In humans, the fear perception does not necessarily come from physical power of the opponent, as it can comprise many other factors. Another aspect of biological basis for morals in animals can be witnessed in the fact that they do not suppress their fellow beings for power or any other reasons; but only for the purposes of hunting or mating. However, humans who enjoy the ability of intellect do this for other reasons.

“The empirical view concedes that moral codes are devised to conform to some drive of human nature and to suppress others.” (Wilson, 1998). Circumstances and biological factors also play an important factor and this is the reason that certain morals practiced by some societies are shunned by others. Thus the article’s stance that the moral code of animals is different from that of human beings and purely formed on biological basis stands validated. In conclusion it may be said that the genetic and biological factors govern the behavior of animals and the morality it practices is based largely on this.

Works CitedWilson, Edward. The Biological Basis of Morality: The Atlantic Monthly, April 1998: p.53-70)