Value of non-human entities?

Question

Help I need some peoples input... I'm writing a paper and need to incorporate other peoples feelings about the issue along with my personal feelings. Thanks in advance best answer gets 10 points!!

Compare and contrast the value of humans with non-humans entities (an endangered species, or endangered habitat).

1)What is the ethical basis for your reasoning?
2)How do you see humans in its relationship to nature?
3) Does humanity have a special moral status because of its higher intellect? Rights? Responsibilities?

Its a public opinion paper Im supposed to interview other people to get other peoples opinion on the matter so i can show how our worlds opinion lies in the eyes of the beholder.

Answer 1

1. My ethical basis is that every living entity has the same right to life as I do. (That's not to say I don't swat mosquitos that bite me, just that even while I'm doing so I recognize the mosquito's right to try to make a living)
2. Humans are destoying nature with their inability to recognize uncontrolled breeding produces uncontrolled overpopulation and ultimate destruction of everything else.
3. If humans really have a higher intellect than non-human animals, they should recognize the problem of #2 above. They don't so I think the so-called higher intellect is a false ego boosting idea. To me higher intellect means making better war on everything else (including other humans)

Answer 2

joan, there is something wrong with your reasoning. if a mosquito has a right to life, what gave it that right? the universe? and then somehow you took that right away from it by killing it. What exactly IS a "right"? Isn't that a concept we invented? Or did it appear with the big bang, along with whatever else was said to have happened?

Answer 3

to have rights you must also have responsibilities.
with that simple fact, non human entities cannot have rights.
humans do have responsibilities (because they have rights) and non humans owned by humans are protected by the humans rights of ownership.( i know it's confusing, but it means i can't kill your cat)....humanity has to act responsibly, animals do not, (a mean dog may kill your cat!)
humans are responsible for how property of theirs damages another's property (the owner of the dog who killed your cat is responsible for the actions of his dog).
all in all - show me the person who would allow a child to starve rather than eat the last female sea turtle and i'll show you a potential nazi.

Answer 4

Do you actually believe that I would let you plagerize something I put time and effort into? Find your own answers! "Other peoples feelings", who do do you think you're kididng.