Principle of Equality for Animals - Essay Example

?Equality for Animals PASSAGE/ARTICLE ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES OR STEPS 1 Clarify Key Concepts and Unclear Claims and Phrases: Peter Singer’s articleentitled “Equality for Animals?” which has been excerpted from ‘Practical Ethics’, has been recognized to incorporate different key concepts and claims through using various phrases which are found to certainly dissimilar in accordance with the core subject area i.e. ‘equality for animals’. In this context, it has been observed that the author used multiple concepts through different phrases in order to justifiably analyze the principle of equality. A few of the major concepts that had been used by Singer have been clarified in the following section. The principle of equality can be considered as one of the major concepts used by Singer in his article i.e. ‘equality for animals’. The concept was supported with different notions which define that the term equality should encompass the practice of a clear understanding of the nature along with its principles concerning equal consideration of interests. Moreover, Singer has also mentioned that the concept of principle of equality denotes that individual concerns for others should be prioritized equally irrespective of their ability or what they are like. Singer has also used the concept of ‘speciesism’ which significantly depicts the notion of different values and rights to each individual in accordance with their species membership. The concept generally is termed by the advocates who are intended to protect animal rights. According to the author, the concept of speciesism is often referred as similar to prejudice which is certainly akin to the term racism. Therefore, the argument concerning speciesism mentioned by Singer has been found to be somewhat vague or ambiguous. This is because the author did not explicitly highlight the appropriate meaning of the term. In relation to euphemisms and code words and double-speak, the author used the phrase “a matter for old ladies in tennis shoes to worry about” which concealed his feeling in terms of the need for the welfare of animals. With regard to emotive language, the author used the word ‘horrifying’ to express his feelings. In relation to hypostatization, the author has highlighted that the animals are generally treated as distinct beings. Additionally, the author has also observed to use other terms including self-consciousness and human ethics that significantly portray the principle of equality in the nonhuman animals’ perspective. In this regard, the concept of self-consciousness was focused on the article to promote the equality for nonhuman animals through arguing that they also possess adequate rights to independently accomplish their interests. In the context of ethics, it has been observed that the author has focused on significant principles of equally by prioritizing each living creature. According to Singer, the origin of ethics significantly involves a tacit relation between the human beings on behalf of their mutual benefits which is certainly reasonable (Singer 55-69). 1.2 Portray the Basic Argument Structure in the Passage: With reference to the article, it is often observed that the article intended to reflect the brutal scenario faced by the nonhuman animals in the present globalized world. In this regard, Singer had mentioned various arguments with different types of examples from dissimilar grounds. However, the articles have also been witnessed to portray improper justification of the principles associated with equality of each living creature. The integration of dissimilar examples from different scenarios has also been witnessed within the passage which represented various unclear demonstrations relating to the main concept of the topic. Accordingly the concept of defending the equality for nonhuman animals, it has further been observed to include various dissimilar demonstrations which significantly concealed the actual theme of the issue. Although the author has further recognized to integrate undeniable sufferings of the nonhuman animals nevertheless it could be more apparent and justifiable if the author could have mentioned certain real examples associated with the growing brutal scenarios faced by the nonhuman animals on the hands of human beings. Significantly, from the observation of the article it is determined that the statement regarding the violation of principles of equality is made only by the racists. According to the author, the racists have been precisely identified in terms of breaching the moral as well as ethical principles of protecting nonhuman animals. However, in this regard, it is often observed that the greater demolition of nonhuman animals does not involve only the people who are resists. It generally comprises all the human beings who are similarly responsible for the brutal scenario associated with the equality of nonhuman animals (Singer 55-69). 1.3 Determine and Define Author’s Use of Concepts: The article ‘Equality for Animals’ encompassed different concepts relating to the principle of equality. The author (i.e. Peter Singer) has critically justified different aspects in order to apparently substantiate the concern of equality for nonhuman animals. A few of the major concepts that are used by Singer in the article include the conception of speciesism, self-consciousness along with ethical code of conducts (Singer, 55-69). The Concept of Speciesism With reference to the Singer’s article, the use of the concept ‘speciesism’ has been widely observed in relation to highlighting the principle of equality. With regard to the philosophical point of view, the term ‘speciesism’ has been defined as a prejudicial detrimental consideration of certain species who are not been considered to be belonging to a particular or any other species. The term often involves the principle through which the species can be amply encircled with an equal consideration of indispensable characters of any individual beings (Bekoff, “Encyclopedia of Animal Rights and Animal Welfare”). Self-Consciousness The concept of self-consciousness can be defined as one of the most fundamental attributes of each individual to justify the right and wrong with the acceptance of adequate moral and ethical principles. The approach significantly incorporates moral, beliefs along with code of ethical conducts that promote to consider roles and responsibilities towards each species surrounding within the environment. In relation to the observation of Singer, the concept of self-consciousness has been widely utilized in terms of clearly describe the issue of equality for nonhuman animals. The author has entitled self-consciousness as the prior consideration which is compatible with the principle of equal deliberation relating to the interests of each species within the nature (Singer 55-69). Concept of Ethics The code of ethical conducts has also been witnessed in the article of Singer to critically justify the principle of equality. The author has been viewed to critically highlight the importance of ethics for each individual. In this context, the facet of ethics has been described within the article as an individual trait which does not seek to eliminate personal relationship as well as personal affection. However, it significantly seeks to incorporate moral claims concerning those affected species who are suffering due to the practice or act of any individual (Singer 55-69). 1.4 Assess Author’s Use of Concepts: According to the analysis presented in Singer’s “Equality for Animals”, it has been observed that the author presents various concepts that tend to promote significant awareness on principle of equality. In relation to the concept of speciesism, the concept has been widely used by the author to clearly highlight the principle of equality. According to the observation of the Singer’s article, the term ‘spesiesism’ has been widely witnessed to classify and equally consider the species from dissimilar characteristics. Moreover, the author has defined the term with different types of examples and illustrations in order to clearly identify the equality for nonhuman animals. However, the examples or the illustrations provided by the author can be argued in terms of their relevance as well as comprehensiveness in accordance with the subject of equality for animals. Additionally, the concept of self-consciousness has also been witnessed to be widely used by the author to precisely measure the innate awareness of each individual towards the species surrounding within the similar environment. The author in this regard stipulated certain major concerns relating to promote self-awareness for each individual. Moreover, it has also observed within the article that a higher level of self-consciousness exists within the human traits and it does not create any adverse effect to the nature or environment and facilitates to prioritize equality for nonhuman animals in a more significant manner (Singer, 55-69). More significantly, the concept of ethics has also been observed within the article. In relation to the code of ethical conducts, Singer has mentioned adequate standards and policies in order to provide more insight to the article i.e. Equality for Animals. The author has clearly mentioned the concept of ethics in terms of using animals for human food, it has been considered as a condition wherein a comparatively a minor interests of individuals must need to be balanced against the lives which in turn involves animal welfare within their acts. Moreover, the author has also stated that the principle of equal consideration concerning the interest of any individual does not consent to fulfilling major interests which are to be sacrificed for insignificant interests (Singer 55-69). 1.5 Assess the Arguments: In relation to the analysis of the article, it has been observed that Singer has mentioned various arguments concerning the violation of principles of equality. The arguments provided by the author have been observed a clear understanding of the nature along with the principle of equality which incorporates equal consideration of interests. In this context, the arguments can further considered to be extended to the nonhuman animals concerning their equal rights within the nature. The author has included various illustrations that significantly represent the incessant practice of violating the principles of equality. In accordance with the arguments of Singer, the consideration of the interests of the species in terms of comparing their capability can be identified as one of the major factors to be argued. The principle of equality significantly encompasses each individual including human being, nonhuman animals along with other species regarding their rights and interests (Singer 55-69). Moreover, Singer’s arguments also incorporate several implications which significantly reflect continuous violations of the principles of equality. The arguments of the author have been witnessed to cover different interests of human beings and their practices of utilizing non-human animals for their different necessities. The nonhuman animals are generally used for food, farming along other using other species in different types of medical experiments. The author, therefore rigorously focused on increasing the self-awareness related to each human being to avoid and strictly stop the practice of spesiesism. The arguments of the author also encompassed the nonhuman animals who are significantly used for human consumption or at times they are executed to impose different types of perilous experiments (Singer 55-69). 1.6 Assess the Specific Arguments and Overall Argument: With reference to the critical analysis of the Singer’s article i.e. ‘Equality for Animals’, it has been often observed that a range of arguments relating to the use of nonhuman animals are depicted in quite a lucid manner. Moreover, the author has also argued and provided different examples concerning the significant omission of the principles of equality which represents the consideration of interests possessed by nonhuman or other species within the nature. The article has reflected the arguments in accordance with the issue concerning the violation of the principle of equality. Moreover, the arguments made by Singer within the article have also been identified to encompass different concerning factors which severely affect the notion of equality for animals. Therefore, the following discussion would be focused on the arguments that specify significant issues concerning the principle of equality. With reference to the arguments made by Singer, the pain tolerance capability can be considered as one of the major disagreements, which is observed within the article. In this regard, the author argued that the nonhuman animals can also feel similar pain alike the pain felt by any individual whenever certain injuries take place. In this regard, it can be stated that the argument concerning the pain that is felt by the nonhuman animals falls within the criteria of acceptability. Since it has been apparently confirmed that the nonhuman animals can also feel pain, therefore, it can be considered within the ground of acceptability of a good argument. In the similar context, the argument associated with using nonhuman animals for different purposes including food and other experimental practices can further be considered as a major determined factor in accordance with the principle of equality. Therefore, the argument can be considered under the criteria of sufficiency. Owing to the stated concern, the relevant information relating to the unabated use of animals in human consumptions along with various medical experimental practices significantly depicts the abolition of the principle of equality. Moreover, the premise of utilizing animals for different individual interests constitutes a sufficient argumentative ground which further illustrated a respectable argument associated with the issue of equality for animals. 2. Assessment Essay 2.1. INTRODUCTION The principle of equality in the present era of globalization has been witnessed to severely be affected due to the rising unethical conducts of the human beings. In relation to the present day context, the term ‘equality’ is often regarded as a major concerning topic that incorporates several judgments regarding the equality of each living creature within the environment. In various scenarios, it has been apparently observed that the principles of equality for the animals have been witnessed to be significantly affected. In relation to the observation of different concepts and arguments within the article, it has been apparently identified that the author has clearly identified different practices involving the continuous violation of the principle of equality. 2.2 EVALUATION OF BOTH AUTHOR’S USE OF ARGUMENTS AND CONCEPTS Through the analysis of the passage, different methods or techniques that were used by the author to clearly reflect the growing concern associated with the moral principles has been identified. The evaluations of the major concepts as well as arguments that are highly witnessed have been briefly illustrated in the following discussion. In order to evaluate the concept of speciesism used in the article, it can be stated that the concept significantly involves the notion of detrimental considerations concerning the interests of nonhuman animals and other species. In this regard, the concept involves significant attributes that limit the interests of the species concerning their rights along with their feelings of pain. Therefore, the statement of speciesism defined by Singer can be considered within the relevant and justifiable grounds. It is in this context, the increasing use of animals for individual interests can be observed to demolish the principle of equality which tends to cover the equal rights and interests for each nonhuman species within the nature. Additionally, the concept of self-consciousness within the article constitutes adequate information which has provided suitable support to clearly identify the importance of self-awareness in terms of maintaining the principle of equality for animals. Moreover, the concept has also been critically justified by the author through reflecting different awareness practices and their illustrations within the article. In this regard, the integration of self-consciousness has further witnessed to efficiently defend the principle of equality through demonstrating different examples within the article. Furthermore, the concept of ethics has also observed to assess the principle of equality for animals. In this concept, the author has provided justifiable ethical code of conducts which can refer to highlight the continuous practice of violating the principle of equality for animals. With respect to the concept of ethics, it is often observed that the principle of equality is severely affected due to the increasing use of animals for different purposes. In accordance with the increasing pace of the modern fast-food or other business industries, it has been widely recognized that a large number of animals are used in order to meet the interests of the individuals within the environment. Therefore, the integration of ethics within the Singer’s article can be considered as a major attribute which has provided adequate information through highlighting different practices along with interests of the individuals. In the context of analyzing the arguments of Singer, it has been widely recognized that the author has provided various disagreements concerning the notion of increasing violation of the principle of equality. The arguments that are found in the article incorporate different grounds relating to the use of nonhuman animals for individuals’ interests. The argument relating to the use of nonhuman animals for food along with different experimental purposes can be taken into consideration within the relevance ground. The author has provided adequate disagreements concerning the use of nonhuman animals for the individual beings’ interests. In relation to the arguments provided by the author, the use of nonhuman animals has been significantly disagreed with by Singer through different illustrations. Although the author had provided various examples concerning the issue, however in certain scenarios it has also been observed that the examples often involve insufficient related examples in order to efficiently address and promote the principle of equality for nonhuman animals. Additionally, the arguments provided by Singer in the article can also be considered within the ground of acceptability. It is in this context, the arguments of Singer consist of principle of equality for the nonhuman animals which is a problematic premise as the animals are often observed to be used for human wellbeing. Therefore, the author could also mention the effective use of animals which is generally identified in terms of increasing the efficiency of human life. Moreover, the author had also strictly disagreed concerning the use of nonhuman animals for different medical experiment purposes. However, the effective use of animals for medical experiments can enable the researchers to identify the appropriate use of medical facilities and it can also facilitate to effectively address different potential hazards to the human beings due to the invasion of various uninvited diseases. In relation to the observation of the Singer’s article, it has been apparently observed that the author has highlighted certain claims through the support of different unclear phrases. In this context, the claims and views concerning the principles of equality have been witnessed to create certain ambiguity relating to the core subject of the article. It has been found that a range of dissimilar examples that reflect different views concerning the subject of equality for nonhuman animals have been illustrated. Nevertheless, the phrases used within the article also are unable to clearly understand and relate themselves in accordance with the issue concerning the equality for nonhuman animals. 2.3 CONCLUSION With regard to the observation of the Singer’s article ‘Equality for Animals’, it has been clearly agreed that the author has provided adequate information concerning the provision or principle of equality. The article has encompassed different areas wherein the animals are seen to significantly be affected due to the interests of the individual beings. In this context, the author has defined that the principle of equality covers the rights and the interests of each nonhuman animal within the nature. However, the principle of equality relies on the environment where all the living creatures are equally prioritized and their interests are also considered. In this context, it has been critically identified that only the fundamental ethical principles can consent human beings to protect a significant form of equality which grasp all living creatures regardless of the differences among them. Works Cited Bekoff, Mark. “Encyclopedia of Animal Rights and Animal Welfare”. Introduction, 1998. Web. Jul. 30. 2013. . Singer, Peter. Practical Ethics. The United States of America: Cambridge University Press. 1993. Print. Read More