Treatment of Non-Human Animals - Essay Example

PHILOSOSPHY TREATMENT OF NON-HUMAN ANIMALS Discussion Two In our daily lives we are usually guided by various pieces of legislations; these pieces of legislations are formulated and implemented with a major focus of promoting harmony between human relationships. In the process of formulating these rules, stakeholders usually take into consideration the consequences of their implementation by conducting research and collecting information concerning the public’s perception on these laws. Among the intentions of implementing such rules is to offer protection to the bio-physical environment. The aspect of taking the public’s perception or points of view before the implementation of such rules fulfils the requirements of the Utilitarian argument which requires that any activity undertaken by human beings should not cause any negative consequence on the second or the third parties. In relation to the rules and regulations meant to protect non-human animals, it is imperative to note that such laws should be encouraged and applied provided the consequences of such rules do not harm humans. Utilitarian theory depicts that human actions are considered ethically upright when the ultimate results do not lead to negative consequences that may cause harm to the intended populace; however, in relation to formulation of rules and regulations geared towards the protection of non-human animals, it should be noted that a greater consideration be awarded to the ultimate outcomes in that they do not cause any harm to humans. Moral Significance of Sentience The concept of sentience encompasses human capacity to be conscious, perceive and feel certain life scenarios; it can also be referred as the aspect of experiencing subjectivity to certain matters. One of the moral significance of sentience emerges from the provisions of the animal rights. In relation to the provision of animal rights, sentience plays a crucial role that facilitates the provision of such rights (philosophybites.com). In relation to the Eastern Philosophers, sentience involves the metaphysical capacities of both non-human and human animals to undergo pain and feel consciousness. Human beings may not be in a position to understand the level of consciousness on non-human animals; however, the truth of the matter is that such animals to some extent have the capacity just like human beings to feel pain as well as pleasure since they are living things. In regard to this sentience, provides a pathway or a guideline for provision of care and other important services for such animals (philosophybites.com). Additionally, according to different moral obligations for instance in India where Hinduism as a religion recognizes both human and animals as sentient beings, it is imperative to note that sentient plays a key role in promoting the observation of such moral obligations. Religions such as Hindu, Jainism as well as Sikhism, demands that non-human animals be awarded respect and should not be exposed to violent activities; believers in such religions are therefore bound to respect and observe this requirement. Consequently, sentience promotes a harmonious relationship between human beings by creating an understanding human are conscious beings and have the ability to feel pain. Such understanding may be applied to ensure that one person does not expose the other to any harmful activity (philosophybites.com). Application of the Virtue of Benevolence The concept of benevolence entail an act or a tendency to show good will to others; this can be expressed in terms of providing charities, donations as well as other forms of help. Benevolence can also be expressed through promoting harmonious relationships, preventing the occurrence of harmful activities towards others et cetera. In the current society, benevolence is a pertinent facet that ensures that peace and stability is maintained through promoting proper inter-personal, international and regional relationships. The concept of benevolence in the current society is also important in that it facilitates the achievement of an individual’s values from a harmonious relationship that may exist between that person and the other. In this regard, it can be referred as important equipment for achieving appropriate values (philosophybites.com). On the other hand, benevolence may used a guideline for developing trust between individuals; it begins by developing optimism on the other party; that is the aspect of having a positive perception on the second party and the belief that such a person possess desirable characteristic just like any other human. This is the process of developing trust; hence, benevolence plays a great role on promoting the development of trust between individuals. Such kind of trust leads to the development of opportunities that may not exist in most cases, especially when a person if full of doubts over the second parties. Permission of Painless use of animals Taking various factors into consideration, the painless use of animals should be permitted; to begin with, animals are important resources that are used on a daily basis to satisfy different human needs. There are rules and regulations governing the use of such resources, although such rules may differ from region to region. Considering the aspects of sentience, there should be legal tools that permit the use of animals as resources; animals just like humans have the capacity to experience pain and suffering. Despite the fact that the Utilitarian theory specifically requires that any human action geared towards achieving any form of satisfaction should not have consequences that impact negatively on the second parties, utilization of animals inclusive, it is of great importance to note that animals feel pain just like humans and should be treated with high level of concern. Therefore the implementation of such rules would act as a guideline ensuring that the painless utilization of animals is prevented. There are different ways which can be applied to ensure that animals are used in a painless manner; technology can be applied in this aspect and therefore, lack of appropriate methods to use animals in a painless manner should not be an excuse hindering the implementation of such rules. Restriction on Farming that produce animal suffering The overall objective of undertaking any farming activity is to produce food and other resources that are beneficial to humans. Despite the fact that some activities may compel farmers to engage in processes that are harmful to animals, for instance; castration of bulls. This is usually undertaken to control breeding as well to facilitate production of beef. Restriction of such actions may be adversarial to farmers; however, it advisable that if there are available technologies that may be applied to achieve the same results, then they should be placed into action. Argument on loss of Jobs due to Restriction of painless use of animals It is apparent that some people may lose their jobs when rules and regulations hindering the painful use of animals are introduced but this should not be a barrier to the formulation of such rules. The persons responsible for the formulation of such rules should take into consideration the aspects of the utilitarian theory which requires that: Any action undertaken by human should not have consequences that will impact negatively on the other people. Therefore, in the formulation of such laws, it is crucial that various alternative mechanisms should be made available to the persons who may lose their jobs due to restrictions that prevent painful practices inflicted on animals. Taking into consideration the sentience theory, persons who claim that the implementation of rules that hinder the painful use of animals may deny them job opportunities should be made aware that: Animals just like human beings have feelings of pain as well as pleasure; they also have consciousness, a character shared by human beings. Following the theory of sentience, they should also be treated with care and provided with other important resources. Scope of Morality There are myriad issues ascribed to morality in every society; the concept of morality is applied in the guidance and judgment of any human activity. The first dimension, in which morality is applied in real life, is the guidance of human activities by considering some activities as either morally upright or immoral for instance, adultery. In relation to animals, the issue of morality is applicable depending on the kind of relationship between animals and humans. Some human activities directed towards animals may be considered immoral, for example engaging with sexual activity with any animal. Additionally when a person undertakes any activity towards an animal that does not comply with the laid down rules and regulations, then it could be considered immoral in the context of lack of adherence to the laws. Despite the fact that the aspect of morality may be applied to guide the relationship between humans themselves and between humans and animals; it is important to note that human have a higher mental capacity to distinguish what is morally upright and what may be immoral. On the other hand, animals do not have complicated mental capacities to differentiate what is moral and immoral and sometimes may engage in activities that according to human is immoral for instance; mating in public. Therefore the concept of morality may apply to animals when they relate to humans and not when animals relate among themselves. Work Cited philosophy bites." philosophy bites. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2013. . Read More