#2 Describe the human practices that most clearly demonstrate speciesism.
Singer states that if any living being suffers, this suffering stands morally indefensible (Light and Rolston 367). The author compares the plight of black slaves under the rule of slaveowners, which justified their immoral actions with racism. Singer posits that the logic of racism – which arbitrarily defines black’s suffering as insignificant – stands parallel to that of speciesism (Light and Rolston 367). In essence, the fact that one species stands as more intelligent, resourceful or stronger than another, does not bear any moral high ground so that the privileged species can claim the life or labor of the underprivileged.
Therefore, to use horses as forced labor and argue that such action remains moral denotes speciesism. Likewise, to keep or trade cats, dogs, fish or another animal as pets demonstrate speciesism. The most evident demonstration of speciesism exists as the killing of animals for food, as in the meat industry, which slaughters millions of cows, pigs, chicken and other poultry per year. Moral reasons cannot justify such killing: using the Singer example, could a human kill another human to cannibalize her body? Any person would give a negative answer to this question, appealing to morality and common sense. Hence, the immorality of such action transfers to all species on the planet, under the view of speciesism. Lastly, killing animals for sport remains a prime example of speciesism.
#5 Give examples of how adherence to the principle of equal consideration would change our conduct. What are the principle’s application for business?
Singer states that giving attention to the interest of dissimilar living beings does not mean holding their existence to be of equal value (Light and Rolston 367). A human being can consider the interests of one being to be greater than another’s. If one of the two beings must go to sacrifice, the choice befalls on the being with lesser interests (Light and Rolston 367). Singer gives the example of a choice between a human and a dog’s life; since the human has a greater awareness of the impending death, his suffering exceeds the dog’s. Hence, the interests of the person surpass the canine’s, and the latter goes to sacrifice (Light and Rolston 367).
This principle could change our conduct by not breeding animals for trade. As any breeder can state, a dog can be aware of its puppy going away and suffers. Hence, the interest of the dog (keeping its progeny) surpasses the breeder’s (earning money). Another change of conduct could occur with relation to killing animals for nourishment: plants can substitute for dead animals.
This principle can have applications in business as well. In selecting passengers to an overbooked air flight, the interests of one passenger may outweigh another’s. Thus, the passenger with lesser interest stays while the other can fly. One can see another example in selecting discount to senior citizens or other groups: the group with greater interest should have the rebate.
Work Cited
Light, Andrew, and Holmes Rolston. Environmental Ethics: An Anthology. Malden, MA:
Blackwell Pub., 2003. Print.
