Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Human/Non-Human Animals
In my opinion, what distinguishes human animals from non-human animals is simply the idea of consciousness. As human animals, we have the ability to follow a moral code. We can decide what is right or wrong and are responsible for our decisions. In comparison, non-human animals lack this consciousness and therefore the ability to control their actions.
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In contrast to this idea, how is it possible to put a “simple” all-or-nothing label on the meaning of consciousness? Consciousness can mean feelings consciousness, as well as self-consciousness, and don’t non-human animals maintain the ability to express feelings? As stated in Mendl and Paul’s excerpt, “Basic awareness of sensations or emotions per se is crucial, and it is difficult to see why this should depend on either self-consciousness or cognitive complexity” (73). This exemplifies the reasons why non-human animals shouldn’t be distinguished from human beings by the mere concept of self-consciousness, instead feelings consciousness should also be considered. Also relevant to this idea and stated in the same essay as before, “From an animal welfare perspective, it is feelings consciousness that is really important” (73).
Therefore, non-human animals should not be compared to human beings within the broad sense of consciousness, and accredited more for their feelings consciousness.
I disagree as well. To say that an non-human animal doesn't follow a moral code isn't possible since we cannot fully understand how an animals thinks or even feels. When you discipline a dog for instance, they know when they have done something wrong and usually go and hide somewhere in order to get away from the consequence it knows it deserves. In a way then, isn't that a moral code of some sort? Doesn't that show them making a decision about what is "right or wrong?" Consciousness within animals is very complicated and to just label it as a "simple idea" if you will, is ludicrous.
I have to disagree with this post as well because animals have been proven to show high acts of kindness towards each other as well as humans. It is not impossible that non-human animals have a moral code because we do not fully comprehend the actions and ways of them. I believe that they could have a moral code because they are able to survive in harmony with the animals which they live. At the same time, non-human animals must have some sort of moral code when knowing what to hunt and kill and what not to hunt and kill. I would say that animals have a bit of gullibility when caring for human animals, but so do human animals at an early age of maturity, and so do human animals at an old age of maturity.
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