Peter Singer gives a controversial statement at the beginning of the podcast that many of us had are hard time fully agreeing with. He introduced his definition of what a person is, and how that differs from a human being. He defines it as," someone who is aware of their own existence over time, aware enough to realize that they're the same being who lived previously and who can expect to live in the future." He uses the definition to relate his view towards animal treatment, because he sees some animals being able to be defined as a person, and should be treated as such. On the other hand, he says that under this definition, not all human beings are considered a person, he gives the examples of babies and elderly people as some that do not fit the specifications. So under Singer these "human beings" that are not persons what type of treatment do they deserve? This is something that we discussed and found it hard to fully agree with Singer. On the other hand, we found it very easy to disagree with Singer's view on all of the public living a vegetarian lifestyle. All in all, it was interesting to see Singer's view towards animal treatment and the logic he used to support it.
Factual Question:
What is speciesism?
Discussion Question:
How does Peter Singer feel about free-range products? Why?
discussion: Would you agree with singer on his philosophy that babies are not persons?
ReplyDeleteFactual: How does Peter Singer define what a person is?
I am posting here becuase my author has not posted yet... It was very interesting to read Singer's view on animals becuase I was a former vegetarian. I believe that eating animals is cruel due in part to the fact that I guess I would percieve them as being able to suffer. I loved the point that Singer brought up about our cruel treatment towards animals with mental capacities vs. our fair treatment towards humans without mental capacities. I thought it was interesting that he mentions that the only reason humans are treated fairly but animals are not, is becuase we are classified as homo sapiens. I also thought it was very interesting that Singer classified a chimp as a person, but not an mentally disabled people or a babies. Since we were not able to discuss this in class yet, I will save the rest of my comments for class and finish by posting questions on Cupitt's view of non-realism and God. What does cupitt mean by non realism? and Do you believe that humans made up the concept of "God"?
ReplyDelete-Amanda Gargano Section 13:4
I am also posting here because my author hasn't posted yet...
ReplyDeleteNext, we are covering Non-realism about God by Cupitt. He explains non-realism as things don’t exist apart from our knowledge of them and the ways in which we describe them. I think this is somewhat true; I cannot image a God at all having not been told about God by others, including through anthropomorphism. I think in order to grasp the concept you must come at it in this way but then know that God really can’t be conformed to our language and there isn’t a way to describe the nature of God with words. I liked what he had to say about suggesting we should see God as ‘your dream’ or ‘guiding star’ - the ideal towards which your life is oriented and the ideal you live by. I would agree with this statement. Also, that the basis of Christian ethics is simply human kindness and our response to other people. I certainly think this is true and strive to live my life by this principle.
--Cupitt says God doesn’t exist apart from our faith in him. (T or F) True
--Do you agree with Cupitt’s statement that you should see God as ‘your dream or guiding star’, the ideal you and living by and seeking after all your life?
--Natalie Ricketts - Section 13, Group 4
I'm posting on her because my author hasn't posted yet..it was very interesting reading about singer and his views on animals. I kind of had a change of heard about how animals are suffering...But are they really sufffering? Next we are talking about cupitt and his view on non-realism. I can't wait til we get into our groups to hear about everyone's opinion on it.
ReplyDelete---how do you feel about cupitt's thoughts about the existence of god?
-Chelsea smith section13,group4
We had a great discussion today in class about his view on animals and his view on equality. He believes that the animals should have liberation and rights and it is our jobs as humans to help protect them and give them those freedoms. I disagree but it was an intriguing viewpoint.
ReplyDeleteFact Q: Who said “All the arguments to prove man's superiority cannot shatter this hard fact: in suffering the animals are our equals"
Answer: Peter Singer
Discussion Q: Do animals truly deserve the same treatment? Aren't we both really different? I mean, Animals didn't discover gravity.