is the treatment of animals something philosophically significant?

Question

should we consider animals in the philosophical realm? or are animals but mere automatons as Descartes declared and are inherently insignificant?

Answer 1

I assume you mean non-human animals? Speciesism is an ethically abhorent form of discrimination. If the entity is capable of suffering then it merits ethical treatment, i.e. treatment so as to minimise its suffering and augment its happiness. Of course, my response here assumes a form of consequentialism, but I do hold such a consequentialism in favour of any deontological or virtue-theoretic ethical programmes. It's much overlooked but in An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, Bentham said:

"It may come one day to be recognised, that the number of the legs, the villosity of the skin, or the termination of the os sacrum, are reasons equally insufficient for abandoning a sensitive being to the same fate. What else is it that should trace the insuperable line? Is it the faculty of reason, or perhaps the faculty of discourse? But a full-grown horse or dog is beyond comparison a more rational, as well as a more conversable animal, than an infant of a day, a week, or even a month old. But suppose they were otherwise, what would it avail? The question is not, Can they reason? nor Can they talk? but, Can they suffer?" (Page 412).

Answer 2

1. Babe 2. The Birds 3. Seabiscut 4. Lassie Come Home 5. The Three Lives of Thomasina 6. My Dog Skip 7. Gorillas In The Mist 8. Moby Dick 9. Homeward Bound 10. Ol' Yeller

Answer 3

I believe it is.

It is thought that animals have an insight to some things that lie ahead. If it is that animals have a way to let us know by coming to us to guide, or be with us and keep us company than apparently animals are no mindless creatures God created.

Of course God uses the sheep and the wolf as great examples to show what kind of power animals really have.

Although all animals are different in what type of spirit, soul, or power they carry not one animal should ever be underestimated.

Answer 4

I don't know if this qualifies as "philosophy", but I do know I can tell a lot about a person's character by how they treat the defenseless, including children and waiters or counter help. I think that extends to animals, as well.

Empirically speaking, we do know that cruelty to animals as a child is a trait shared by most serial killers.

Treatment of animals is certainly significant, but whether or not that qualifies as "philosophically" or not, I can't say.

Answer 5

Koko the gorilla just gave a speech at the American Bar Association in Hawaii. The subject of the conference was animal law. see----
http://www.koko.org/news/Events/event_060807_ABA_DVD.html
Higher animals have languages, take care of their ill and wounded, and mourn the death of family. They dream, they think and plot on how to open doors and gates. I have horses that are tool users, trust me a really smart horse can be a real problem. I even had one horse that was a mind reader and knew what you wanted with out any cues.
Animals will tell you what they want, you just have to learn the language they use. see---
http://www.angelfire.com/tx2/kidshorses/bodylang.html
http://www.elephantfriends.org/language.html

Answer 6

well, your question centers around Descartes' opinion. With due respect for the French philosopher, mathematician of the 17th century, I disagree with his opinion on his feelings towards animals.
Animals represent our basic nature: instinct which is inherited and taught. Can an animal think for itself? I think so.

Considering one of the original oriental fighting styles is based on the observations of the mantis, I think animals are important. I'll leave it there. very good question btw!

Answer 7

How people treat animals is a reflection of their true personality. How people act when they think there is no possibility of negative consequences reveals their true personality. There have been studies that show that single men who own pets and care for them make better dads later on. There are other studies that show many violent criminals began with animal cruelty. It would seem to me that animals are very relevant to philosophy.

Answer 8

"Philosophically significant" . . .
I don't think it is reasonable to "consider animals in the philosophical realm", but, they need to be treated ethically.
I don't agree that animals are inherently insignificant.
However, I think first we need to consider all humans as "philosophically significant" and treat all humans ethically before we spend a vast effort to squander resources on animals.

Answer 9

i believe animals are significant. especially pets. the way people treat animals has been proven to have a direct relation on how people will treat other people. not only that, pets give us a chance to develop patience and learn how to distribute consequences. if you learn to deal with your dog's mistakes by beating the crap out of him, chances are that you will beat the crap out of your children.

also, the belief of souls directly has to do with philosophy as well. do animals have souls? i believe that if people do, animals do as well. but many people believe that humans have souls but no other living creature does. so i believe animals and the way we view them, and the beliefs that we have about them have a huge amount to do with the philisophical realm.

Answer 10

they are co-habitants of this planet we live in.

Philosophically, they are indeed insignificant.

However the treatment of animals reflect a sense of love and emotion thta is significant philsolophically, if you know what i meant.