In Search of Consistency: Ethics And Animals (Human-Animal Studies)

559 Pages·2006·3.26 MB·English

by  Lisa Kemmerer

In Search of Consistency:
Ethics and Animals
Human–Animal Studies
Editor
Kenneth Shapiro
Animals and Society Institute
Editorial Board
Ralph Acampora, Hofstra University
ff
Cli ord Flynn, University of South Carolina
Hilda Kean, Ruskin College, Oxford
Randy Malamud, Georgia State University
Gail Melson, Purdue University
Kenneth Shapiro, Co-Executive Director
Animals & Society Institute
Editor, Society and Animals
Coeditor, Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science
403 McCauley Street
Washington Grove MD 20880
t/f 301-963-4751
www.animalsandsociety.org
VOLUME 3
In Search of Consistency:
Ethics and Animals
by
Lisa Kemmerer
BRILL
LEIDEN • BOSTON
2006
Photos on the cover:
As in a Mirror (oil on canvas) and Clamshell Ethics (crayon).
Both are originals and made by the author.
This book is printed on acid-free paper.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Kemmerer, Lisa.
In search of consistency : ethics and animals / by Lisa Kemmerer.
p. cm. — (Human-animal studies, ISSN 1573-4226 ; v. 3)
Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index.
ISBN-13: 978-90-04-14725-6
ISBN-10: 90-04-14725-X (pbk.: alk. paper)
1. Animal welfare. 2. Animal rights. 3. Ethics. I. Title. II. Series.
HV4708.K44 2006
179’.3—dc22 2006047543
ISSN 1573-4226
ISBN-13: 978 90 04 14725 6
ISBN-10: 90 04 14725 X
© Copyright 2006 by Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Koninklijke Brill NV incorporates the imprints Brill Academic
Publishers, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers and VSP.
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Fees are subject to change.
printed in the netherlands
Dedicated to/In loving memory of the many other members of my
family, past and present:
Snoopy, Saudi, Peanuts, Fez, Pester, Molly, Crabapple, Annie;
Hippi, Tidbit, Colorful;
Star and two whose names I cannot remember;
Rylie, Pal, Kim, Hans, Randy, Zack, Zeebee, Panda, Orphie, Nachie, Brownie,
Lucy, Jojo, Angie, Wags, Suzie;
Matilda, Tuck-Tuck, Baby Fondles, and those that did not live to adulthood;
Biddy, Fotinia, Dalila, and dozens of others;
Suzie, Ms. Duckie, and many others;
Troubles, Stubby, Commander, Shale, Samantha, Tweezer, Mama Schnook,
Kao, Muffin, Gryder, Snerf, Schnickelfritz, BeBee (Problem), Sandi, Skunky,
Silver Tabby, Boss Charlie, Underfoot, Sam, Blacky, Pill, Missy, Mustache,
Melissa, Sascha, Mosta, Spud, Smokey, Satin, Fluff, Stuffy, Graykin, Jex,
Ringer, Boo-witch, Lady Jane Gray, Longjohn, Elf, Popeye, Twitch, Fat Orange,
Butterscotch (Buttercrotch on off days), Cinders (Cinderella), Skittle, Saphire,
BoBlack, Flag, TummyMummy, Bob, Crosspatch, Simey, Mr. Max, Tom
Thumb, Stripe, Mini, Heba, Sheba, Miss Flea, Chocolate, Mabel, Boffer,
MyDogSpot, MyDogSpot’s Sister Mariezlie (Mizo, Meazlie), Chibi-chan, Friskie,
Strip, Strip’s tiny sister who did not live long, Baby Orange, Nabor, Satin,
Rabbit, Maggie, Gank, Martha/Grouse, Ebony, Squid Kid, Nosey, Mackie,
Mutt, Jeffrey, Paddy, Calli, Sid, Barney, Tipper, Quatro, Mama, Peabody,
Cream Puff (CreamyMeamy), Priscilla (Pisscilla in moments of bad behavior),
and others whose names are temporarily forgotten.

CONTENTS
Acknowledgements ...................................................................... xiii
Preface ........................................................................................ xv
Introduction ................................................................................ 1
PART ONE
METHODS AND TERMS
Chapter one
T1. Protectionism ...................................................................... 7
M1. Selection of scholars .......................................................... 9
T2. Anymals, Nonhuman Animals, Other-Than-Human
Animals .................................................................................... 10
M2. Applied philosophy ............................................................ 12
T3. Moral standing .................................................................... 16
T4. Morally relevant distinctions .............................................. 18
T5. Inherent value/intrinsic worth .......................................... 22
M3. Lifeboat scenarios .............................................................. 24
M4. Idealism .............................................................................. 27
M5. Consistency and logical extremes .................................... 32
T6. Intuition .............................................................................. 37
T7. Speciesism ............................................................................ 38
M6. Impartiality ........................................................................ 40
M7. Casuistry ............................................................................ 47
T8. Living entity ........................................................................ 49
T9. Western morality/ethics .................................................... 50
M8. Interdisciplinary .................................................................. 52
Final Note .................................................................................. 56
viii contents
PART TWO
PHILOSOPHICAL PROTECTIONIST THEORIES
Chapter two
Tom Regan: The Rights View ................................................ 59
A. Regan’s Rights View
1. Equal inherent value ........................................................ 60
2. Welfare .............................................................................. 61
3. Moral standing ................................................................ 64
4. Respect Principle .............................................................. 65
5. Harm Principle ................................................................ 66
6. Overriding rights .............................................................. 66
Summary .............................................................................. 68
B. Discussion .............................................................................. 68
1. Methods ............................................................................ 68
2. Central concepts .............................................................. 70
3. Undesirable consequences ................................................ 94
Conclusion ............................................................................ 101
Chapter three
Peter Singer: Utilitarian Protectionism .................................... 103
A. Singer’s Utilitarian Theory .................................................. 103
1. Utilitarianism .................................................................... 103
2. Sentience .......................................................................... 105
3. Mental capacity ................................................................ 109
4. Death and killing ............................................................ 110
Summary .............................................................................. 112
B. Discussion .............................................................................. 112
1. Common concerns .......................................................... 112
2. Problems associated with utilitarianism .......................... 113
3. Sentience .......................................................................... 128
4. Mental capacity ................................................................ 130
5. Reason without virtues .................................................... 142
6. Speciesism ........................................................................ 143
Conclusion ............................................................................ 144
contents ix
Chapter four
Paul Taylor: Bio-Protectionism ................................................ 145
A. Protectionism and Environmental Ethics: An Uneasy
Alliance .................................................................................. 145
B. Taylor’s Foundation .............................................................. 150
1. Individual versus species .................................................. 150
2. Natural and nonnatural .................................................. 150
3. Moral standing ................................................................ 151
4. Moral agents and moral patients .................................. 154
5. Rights ................................................................................ 155
6. Philosophical principles and standards .......................... 158
C. Taylor’s Respect for Nature ................................................ 158
1. Belief system—Biocentric Outlook .................................. 159
2. Attitude—Respect for Nature ........................................ 161
3. Four rules and moral triage ............................................ 162
4. Five principles .................................................................. 165
Summary .............................................................................. 169
D. Discussion .............................................................................. 170
1. Controversial assumptions .............................................. 170
2. Theoretical considerations .............................................. 177
3. Humanocentrism .............................................................. 190
Conclusion ............................................................................ 210
PART THREE
PROTECTIONIST THEOLOGY
Chapter five
Andrew Linzey: Christian Protectionism .................................. 213
A. Theology ................................................................................ 214
B. Christianity and Protectionism Across Time ...................... 217
C. Linzey’s Protectionist Theology .......................................... 228
1. Creation ............................................................................ 229
2. Covenant .......................................................................... 235
3. Challenges ........................................................................ 236
4. Life of Jesus ...................................................................... 243
5. Linzey’s Generosity Paradigm ........................................ 245
Summary .............................................................................. 250