Essay On Non Human Animals Matter

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This question we must ask ourselves is, do non-human animals matter? We also ask ourselves what defines a person? To answer this questions, non-human animals do matter. We constantly argue whether or not an animal deserves rights. According to our class definition, a right is a moral or legal entitlement that have or obtain something or to act in a certain way. Usually, if an animal is not deemed intelligent or has a conscious, they should not have rights. A right is a moral or legal entitlement to have or obtain something or to act in a certain way. Although many people believe non-human animals should have rights, is it our duty to improve the welfare of non-human animals. Defined by the class, a duty is a responsibility to do or not to do …show more content…

In the reading "Minds of their own", I found it surprising that accepted that animals are like robots. In modern day society, many believe that some animals have an awareness of the self which seems to be common sense. Unlike robots, non human animals are more likely to have mental and intellectual capabilities. The acknowledgement of mental and intellectual skills of a non human animal would raise questions regarding animal rights. For example, the current debate regarding Sea World and its aquatic animals. They are debating about the issues and concerns about holding aquatic animals’ captivity. Non human animals have minds as well and should be allowed to use them. Non human animals have the ability to think on their own just as humans, unlike robots. Animals have emotions just like humans and they should be treated with the same respect as humans. Also, if you take the time to really think about it, animals do not live forever, they eventually die. However, if a robot dies, you can fix it and it will work again. Robots also cannot think for themselves, they are manmade. Unlike animals, they are capable to think for …show more content…

The way animals are treated in zoos, laboratories, and farms has become a concern to many people. ‘Suffering’ covers a wide range of different emotional states such as fear, boredom, exhaustion, pain grief, thirst, and hunger. Suffering is also defined as the bearing or undergoing of pain, distress or injury. Laws, guidelines, regulations, and codes have been put in place to inform people of how animals should be treated. All the animals are not humans, they feel pain as well, and they should not have to suffer because of our selfish wants and needs. Humans response towards negative and positive reinforcers are similar to the way non-human animals react. All though we may be genetically and physically different, we are still pretty similar. Therefore, we should treat animals the way we want to be treated. (Dawkins) Some animals can show us their emotions from positive and negative reinforcements by their behavior. Some animals show their emotions by pushing doors or pecking keys. Other animals have autonomic responses, for example, increase in heart rate associated with emotional situations such as aggression. Other animals have specific behaviors such as vocalizations associated with their emotional state. Animal suffering causes us to question the things we do. For example, we shouldn’t kill animals or inflict pain on

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