A common moral attitude is that human beings, and only human beings, are members of the moral community and therefore humans are the only entities that are considered morally. In this essay, I will describe PETER SINGER′s argument that includes sentient beings in the moral community (ii; iii). Against this background I will criticize his approach and show some alternative readings of the argument in order to expand the moral community further (iv; v). PETER SINGER was born in 1946 and became Professor of Philosophy in 1977 at Monash University, Melbourne. With his influential essay "Animal Liberation" (1974) and the book of the same name published one year later, he counts undoubtedly as a pioneer of the animal rights movement and animal ethics.
Table of Contents
(I) INTRODUCTION
(II) THE UTILITARIAN BASIS: JEREMY BENTHAM (1748 - 1832)
(III) SENTIENTISM: SENTIENCE AS CRITERION FOR MORAL CONSIDERATION
(V) THE UNIVERSAL CHARACTER OF MORALITY: A HOLISTIC EXPANSION
(VI) A PERSONAL STATEMENT: SINGER'S ARGUMENT IS AN EFFECTIVE STARTING POINT
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This work critically examines Peter Singer's utilitarian argument for animal liberation, seeking to evaluate the boundaries of the moral community and exploring potential expansions beyond sentientism toward a more holistic, biocentric ethical framework.
- Analysis of the utilitarian foundations established by Jeremy Bentham.
- Critique of sentience as the primary criterion for moral consideration.
- Exploration of biocentric and holistic alternatives for moral inclusion.
- Evaluation of the practical effectiveness and limitations of Singer's ethical starting point.
Excerpt from the Book
(ii) The utilitarian basis: JEREMY BENTHAM (1748 - 1832)
The utilitarian position serves as the basis of SINGER's argument. Utilitarianism is a normative moral theory, i.e. it says what we ought to do. Utilitarianism is a consequentialistic position with a hedonistic motive. This principle manifests in the famous formula: "the greatest happiness of the greatest number".
SINGER refers in his argument to JEREMY BENTHAM, the classical representative of the utilitarian approach, who provides the system of Utilitarianism with a democratic principle, with the maxim of moral equality: Each to count for one and none for more than one.
Based on this, SINGER points out that the fundamental principle of equality, on which the equality of all human being rests, is the principle of equal consideration of interests. SINGER emphasizes that Moral equality is distinct from factual equality and stresses that The basic principle of equality does not require equal or identical treatment; it requires equal consideration.
The principle of equal consideration of interests has its fixed place in most of the constitutions of the democratic states. Undoubtedly, it counts for all humans. It is SINGER's concern to expand this principle to animals. The principle of the equality of human beings is not a description of an alleged actual equality among humans: it is a prescription of how we should treat animals.
Summary of Chapters
(I) INTRODUCTION: This chapter introduces the common anthropocentric view of the moral community and presents Peter Singer’s argument for including sentient beings within this scope.
(II) THE UTILITARIAN BASIS: JEREMY BENTHAM (1748 - 1832): This section outlines the utilitarian foundation of Singer’s work, specifically focusing on Bentham’s principle of equal consideration of interests.
(III) SENTIENTISM: SENTIENCE AS CRITERION FOR MORAL CONSIDERATION: The chapter explores the logical structure of sentience as a criterion and evaluates how interests are linked to the capacity for suffering and enjoyment.
(V) THE UNIVERSAL CHARACTER OF MORALITY: A HOLISTIC EXPANSION: Here, the author proposes a transition from sentientism to a broader, holistic morality by arguing for the inclusion of all living entities based on their will to live.
(VI) A PERSONAL STATEMENT: SINGER'S ARGUMENT IS AN EFFECTIVE STARTING POINT: The author concludes by reflecting on the practical value of Singer's argument as a foundational tool for ethical discourse, despite its limitations.
Keywords
Utilitarianism, Peter Singer, Jeremy Bentham, Sentientism, Moral Community, Animal Rights, Equal Consideration of Interests, Biocentrism, Holistic Morality, Speciesism, Ethics, Animal Testing, Environmental Ethics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
The work provides a critical analysis of Peter Singer’s utilitarian approach to animal ethics and investigates possibilities for expanding moral consideration to non-sentient entities.
What are the central thematic areas covered?
The study covers the utilitarian foundations of moral equality, the definition of interests based on sentience, and the conceptual expansion of morality toward a biocentric or holistic model.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to determine if Singer’s definition of the "moral community" is sufficient or if it requires a more comprehensive framework to avoid arbitrary exclusion.
Which scientific or philosophical method is employed?
The author uses conceptual and logical analysis to deconstruct Singer's ethical arguments, identifying potential contradictions and suggesting alternative formulations.
What core topics are addressed in the main chapters?
The main chapters navigate the shift from anthropocentrism to sentientism and eventually propose a shift toward a holistic perspective that includes plants and the earth as a living system.
Which keywords best characterize the paper?
Key terms include Utilitarianism, Sentientism, Moral Community, Animal Rights, Biocentrism, and Holistic Morality.
Why does the author argue that sentience is a narrow criterion?
The author argues that limiting moral status to sentient beings ignores other living entities, such as plants, which also exhibit an interest in flourishing and survival.
How does the author interpret the term 'interest' differently than Singer?
While Singer links interests to sentient experiences of pain and pleasure, the author suggests expanding the term to include the basic will to live found in all living beings, referencing Albert Schweitzer.
- Quote paper
- Stefan Krauss (Author), 2004, A narrow boundary and a narrow understanding of morality, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/28113
