case: a snake is attempting to kill a human. the only way to save the human is killing the snake by throwing a knife. would you throw the knife you have in your pocket?
There is kind of a "grey area" when dealing with other animals - we don't know whether (in one extreme) if they act purely on instinct or (on the other) if they are just as sophisticated emotionally as we are. There are people who advocate a utilitarianism based off of the happiness of all "sentient" beings.
Furthermore, should "sentient" being's lives be valued based off of their level of intelligence / level of self-awareness / etc. or are all sentient beings equal?
case: a snake is attempting to kill a human. the only way to save the human is killing the snake by throwing a knife. would you throw the knife you have in your pocket?
As a response to this - the snake is violating the person's right to life. Thus, he / it is sacrificing its own right. This use of force is permissible, even if the snake were a human.
Humans are animals, I think the only reason to save the human in the human vs. snake exemple is because you are yourself a human and value the life of a species comrade higher than the life of a predator and potential source of danger and death. But there is no absolute morality about why and why not.
We probably subconciently value the life of a being also in relation to 1. how big it is, 2. how it looks (has it 2 big cute eyes or 8 nasty little ones?) 3. how dangerous, 4. how useful to us, 5. can we use it as a pet or compagnion... stuff like that.
But there is no absolute morality about why and why not.
Could you please elaborate on this. It's kinda hard for me to wrap my head around in its current format...but I'm certain that if it were explained in a more clear way that I would have an objection
But there is no absolute morality about why and why not.
As I see it, it is all very emotional. I hate flies because they make me go crazy when they won't leave me alone; when in that mood, I can kill hundreds of flies in a day, and I'll even feel better afterwards. While doing so, I don't think "there are so many of them anyway, it doesn't matter" or so. I just want to get rid of them. But I would never hurt a spider; I have three bird spiders myself. Ask any woman on the street, and she would say she would squish that disgusting spider no problem.
my sister has chickens. the chickens lay eggs, and there is a rooster, so the eggs are fertilized. sometimes, my sister and her friend let them breed the eggs out. however, this forces them to kill and eat the unsellable roosters. is this bad?
Yes we should value animals as much as humans. I'm not saying killing animals is bad if you need food. But doing mass-murder, torturing them and doing experiments on them is just sick and wrong. I think that everyone should just kill animals if they need to eat it. And not create does concentration camps as I call them, where billions of animals are killed and lots of them aren't even eaten.
The snake vs human thing doesn't work because it's more like self-defense and animals do that all the time.
well the death of my one of my pets would make me highly upset but if i lost a friend or family member i would be more upset but that doesnt mean i wont feel the need to mourn for the loss of my animal
Well, let's see. A lot of people seem to think that animals have feelings. Animals have chemical reactions that simulate emotion, so I'd say that people are more important. That's not to say that animals aren't, because they're essential to the ecosystem and many other things. So, don't harm the animal unless it harms you, and if you accidentally extinct something, realize that may have sealed your doom (because now you've messed up the food chain).
As I see it, it is all very emotional. I hate flies because they make me go crazy when they won't leave me alone; when in that mood, I can kill hundreds of flies in a day, and I'll even feel better afterwards. While doing so, I don't think "there are so many of them anyway, it doesn't matter" or so. I just want to get rid of them. But I would never hurt a spider; I have three bird spiders myself. Ask any woman on the street, and she would say she would squish that disgusting spider no problem.
This example does not prove anything about morality.
I believe that morality should be decided by the end result of the action. Your example does not preclude that idea of absolute morality.
A lot of people seem to think that animals have feelings. Animals have chemical reactions that simulate emotion, so I'd say that people are more important.
Technically speaking all emotions are are chemical reactions in the brain. And anyone with a cat or dog can tell you that their pets has emotions, they can't match humans for facial expressions but you can still see it.
