Philosophical Argumentative Essay: Do Animals Have Rights

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Rachel Beville Professor Cole PHIL 100 – 800 18 November 2015 Philosophical Evaluation 3: Animals Have Rights I think the claim that animals have no rights because they are not moral agents is untrue. I think this is untrue because human concepts cannot be applied nor expected from non-human species. Like humans, animals are living creatures, capable of feeling the same emotions as we do. Animals are alive. They have lives, families, souls, and feelings, just as humans do. Humans possess a high intelligence that no other life form has yet shown: the capability to obtain morals and process political standings. In Tibor Machan’s argument, he states how without moral jurisdiction, one cannot have the option of rights. This is simply not true. …show more content…

The only basis for animals having rights lies with the reason of humans having morals. Since we have morals, we believe animals should be treated humanely and taken care of. This could attribute to the idea that animals need rights. Many believe that animals having rights rests on if they have morals, however the rights do not lie with the animals, they lie with the humans. Since humans have rights and morals, they are aware of right and wrong and what should and should not be done. Contrary to humans, animals do not know the difference between right and wrong. Because of this, they do not have the ability to obtain rights since they cannot fathom how to do right. Those who fight for animals’ rights are often confused of what they are actually fighting for- they are actually fighting for humans to treat animals properly and with respect- humanely, if you will. Therefore it is not a matter of if animals should deserve rights, as it is that humans should use their rights to protect the animals. This objection to me personally should not be considered due to the fact that human dominance can lead to the misuse of power. Even in the event that we do not give animals rights, but still treat them humanely, does not stop people from keeping animals in captivity and using them for their own pleasure and entertainment. Just because cruelty is not enacted does not

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