Testing On Animals essay

Document Type:Essay

Subject Area:Philosophy

Document 1

The question, however, is whether it is right to use animals to test treatments or to experiment on treatments that may be suitable for people. The moral understanding of the concept has been argued upon by many philosophers each with their own view. The goal of this paper is to examine the various stands regarding the moral aspect of philosophers on the matter of animals being used as subjects in scientific laboratories. There are various philosophy branches and theories that offer their views regarding the issue. Animal testing is a matter of controversy because people argue on the moral obligation that people have. Though animals, plants and human beings are on the same level when it comes to the intake of nutrients and food and later transforming it to other forms and excreting it, human beings are presented as being more superior to the rest of them because they are rational, conscious and autonomous.

Sign up to view the full document!

Therefore putting that line of thought into considerations it is acceptable to use animals to service human beings, their existence should be able to benefit the humans. It is therefore ethical in this case to test animals scientifically if it benefits humans. St. Thomas Aquinas who was also another religious philosopher believed that concern of any kind whatsoever should only be considered when rational beings are involved. Kantian philosophers posited that the main aspect that should determine whether a being is expected to behave morally is autonomy. That is the power to be able to govern oneself. Animals in accordance with that do not have the ability to form a government of their own. Though they can exist on their own they are not entirely capable of forming types of governments that can enable them to live peacefully amongst themselves.

Sign up to view the full document!

Animals are more concerned with satisfying their immediate needs rather than governing their needs. This shows that even though animals may be considered to lack a moral standing, human beings should, therefore, treat animals with morality. This argument, however, doesn’t protect animals from being used for tests since it only mentions the indirect responsibility humans have in regards to animals. It only looks into the aspect of human character and morality based on how they treat animals. Peter Carruthers, also states that the actions towards an animal affect other people, it doesn’t affect the animals but it affects other people that may be attached to that animal (Carruthers 153-54). This in its literal meaning states that the animal doesn’t matter in that it doesn’t get hurt by the action but the feelings of the people that may associate with the animal are at risk of getting hurt.

Sign up to view the full document!

From $10 to earn access

Only on Studyloop

Original template

Downloadable