Worksheets - Utilitarianism
Name and Section:
Fatima B. Cortez BSA-1C
1. Go online and look for an instance where animal rights and welfare can be
considered an issue. What is the issue that you have identified? Detail your
findings and opinion below. Check on the arguments presented by Peter
Singer, Joel Feinberg, and Steve Sapontzis
Jonathan and Evangeline Galguerra have been found GUILTY for the violations
committed from performing a DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Caesarian operation last June 20,
2019, wherein the act was streamed live on social media. The couple used a kitchen
knife and a pair of scissors, without any anesthesia, to perform the act, resulting in the
death of the pregnant poodle. (https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1354834/couple-foundguilty-of-animal-cruelty-after-performing-diy-dog-operation-paws)
The issue that I have identifies is detrimental to the animal rights and welfare. It is a
violation of the Section 6 Animal Welfare Act of 1998. Section 6 of the law states that:
“It is unlawful for any person to torture any animal, to neglect to provide adequate
care, subject any dog or horse to dogfights or horsefights, kill or cause or procure to
be tortured or deprived of adequate care, sustenance or shelter, or maltreat or use the
same in research or experiments not expressly authorized by the Committee on
Animal Welfare.”
In this issue a pregnant dog was the victim. The couple harmed the pregnant dog by
doing a DIY caesarian operation without anesthesia and used improper tools such as
regular knife and a pair of scissors. This is just so cruel in part of the dog for the
reason that, despite their intention of helping the dog to give birth and save the
puppies the fact that they did the DIY operation without proper knowledge is already a
risk and the possibility of harming the dog is high. She was seemed to be a subject for
experiment. Moreover, the awful act was conducted and shared via Facebook live
video. Many people had witnessed it reason for them to get caught. I think they were
not aware that what they are doing is already a crime.
Peter has been very influential in debates concerning animals and ethics. Peter Singer
argues that the fundamental issue in determining how we may treat animals is
whether they suffer and that the pains of animals and humans deserve equal
considerations. In the case above the pregnant dog was cut open alive, obviously she
will feel so much pain plus the fact that she was in labor. It’s like they are adding up to
the suffering of the dog and that they seemed to kill the dog twice.
Joel Feinberg has argued that all is required in order for a being to have a right is that
the being be capable of being represented as legitimately pursuing the furtherance of
its interests. If human beings have rights, then animals will likewise have rights. The
right of the pregnant dog to be operated legally by a veterinarian was taken away by
that couple.
Sapontzis is an advocate of animal rights. In Morals, Reason, and Animals, he argues
that non-human animals have interests, and that it is the existence of interests that
justifies inclusion in the moral community. He argues that basic moral principles such
as fairness, protecting the weak against the strong, and aiming to reduce suffering
cannot logically be limited to humans because suffering, distress, enjoyment, and
fulfillment are not exclusively human conditions.
2. In view of Bentham's and Mill's assertion of the greatest happiness of
the greatest number, do you think that animal rights and welfare should
even be a concern in the Philippines where millions of Filipinos below the
poverty threshold are struggling to have a decent life? Is the concern for
animal rights and welfare a first world problem?
Utilitarianism cannot lead to selfish acts. It is neither about our pleasure nor happiness
alone; it cannot be all about us. If we are the only ones satisfied by our actions, it does
not constitute a moral good. If we are the only ones who are made happy by our
actions, then we cannot be morally good. In this sense, utilitarianism is not dismissive
of sacrifices that procure more happiness for others. Therefore, it is necessary for us
to consider everyone's happiness, including our own, as the standard by which to
evaluate what is moral.
People have its own level of happiness. Some may get it through tangible materials
such as caprices for clothes and fancy things, money, and food. Some may get it from
another person. Some may get it through intangible things like achievements, love,
dream come true, beautiful scenery and some may get it from animals.
I personally think that animal rights and welfare should still be a concern in the
Philippines. Filipinos are benefitting from it so it is only right and just to take action on
this matter. Many Filipino owns animal pet and animals that are used in livelihood. I
presumed it is not new to us, to know that Filipinos are lovable and finds animals
dearly to them to the point that they treat them not only as pet or something used for
livelihood but as part of the family.
Also, I think it should not be associated to the poverty for the reason that if we are
going to compare the amount of money that are subject to release for budget, it is just
a little amount that will be extracted from the governments fund and I believe it won’t
hurt anyone. Moreover, I also believe that if you are going to ask this to Filipino people
they will probably agree since they really value animals for it is one of the thing that
gives them pleasure and happiness.
It doesn’t necessary to be first world problem but at least spare some attention and
take action for it.
3. Consider other topics within the realm of animal rights and welfare.
Select one and give an initial presentation of the significance of
discussing this topic. Consider too T trees and other elements of nature
should also be given rights; check the paper of Christopher Stone entitled
"Should Trees Have Standing? Towards Legal Rights for Natural Objects"
Key issues in the area of animal welfare include animal testing, living conditions in
zoos, wildlife conservation, and treatment of animals in the food industry. Wildlife
conservation is the protection of animals in the wild from human impacts, including
breeding programs to repair the damage done.
Animals certainly experience physical and emotional anguish, according to
utilitarianism. When creating animal suffering in order to bring greater enjoyment to
the majority of humans, it is morally appropriate to do so to live beings.
Animal welfare is the well-being of animals, and it is an area of activism, science, and
political action. Animal welfare activists want to improve conditions for animals,
especially animals that are reliant on human care. This includes pets, animals in zoos,
animal use for testing, animals slaughtered for food, and, in some cases, wild animals
that are affected by human actions. Meanwhile, animal welfare is distinct from animal
rights. While animal welfare focuses on our responsibility to look after animals
properly, animal rights is the idea that animals have similar rights to humans as
lifeforms and that we shouldn't be using them for our own gain.
Elephants have been enslaved to be used as entertainment and a source of wealth for
humanity. Obviously, for people whose sole source of income is from the zoo, this can
be allowed because it benefits the zoo's owners or for the pleasure of children and
other family members who would not like seeing elephants up close. However, zoos
are not elephants' native habitats, and even if they are maintained in zoos for
conservation purposes, statistics show that keeping an elephant in a zoo is
unsuccessful because elephants belong in the wild, and more elephants perished
from loneliness due to being unable to exercise inside a zoo.
Originally published in 1972, Should Trees Have Standing? was a rallying point for the
then burgeoning environmental movement, launching a worldwide debate on the basic
nature of legal rights that reached the U.S. Supreme Court.
Yes, tress and other natural objects have a stand on their rights especially when this
is endangered species of trees, it must be legally protected. I believe every living
things has its right, specifically the right to live.