1. Moral theory and animals -- Introduction -- Moral intuitions and moral theory -- Finding a fulcrum--the need for an ideal -- Constructing an ideal for animals -- Having a soul -- Relevant differences -- Human dominion -- Duties toward animals as duties toward humans -- Reason, language, and moral concern -- Social contract theories -- Kant's theory of reason -- Kant's ethic -- Humans as "ends in themselves" -- Animals as means -- Language and reason -- The ordinary notion of rationality -- Do animals behave rationally? -- Are only humans "language-rational?"--Do animals use concepts? -- Animals and human language -- Moral concern and nonrational humans -- Our concern for nonrational human interests -- The moral relevance of pleasure and pain -- Scientific ideology and the denial of animal pain and consciousness -- A critique of scientific ideology -- Variability of pain experience in humans and animals -- Interest in survival and freedom -- Moral concern and creatures with interests -- Interests, language, and natural signs -- Life and awareness as the source on interests : the Telos of living things -- Interests and awareness -- Moral theory and our world view -- Do animals have "moral rights"? -- The right to moral concern -- The right to life -- The violation of rights -- Animals as ends in themselves -- Specific rights and animal nature -- Telos and ethology -- Where do you draw the line? -- How do we deal with competing interests? -- Must we police creation? -- Don't animals kill each other? -- The nonliving environment -- Don't we have enough problems with human morality? -- Isn't all this utopian? -- 2. Animal rights and legal rights -- How are law and morality connected? -- Natural law theory -- Natural rights -- The rejection of natural law and natural rights : legal positivism -- The revival of natural rights -- Rights are a protection for the individual against the general welfare -- How rights are established - How does this relate to animals? -- Don't animals have legal rights now? -- Do animals need rights? Their legal status today -- Legalizing the rights of animals -- What can we expect to achieve? -- Is our position absurd? -- 3. The use and abuse of animals in research -- Introduction -- The six senses of research -- Moral principles for research : the utilitarian and rights principles -- Introduction to the testing of consumables -- The LD50 test -- The Draize test -- Carcinogen, mutagen, and teratogen testing -- The concept of alternatives to animal experimentation -- The use of animals in teaching -- Research abuse and the training of scientists -- The debasement of language in science -- Creating a revolution in science education--some personal notes -- Introduction to the use of animals in basic research -- Freedom of thought vs. the moral status of animals -- The use of "alternatives" in basic research -- Theory-based science vs. empirical dabbling -- Behavioral psychology : a paradigm case of bad science and unnecessary suffering -- Improving the lot of research animals -- The emergence of viable legislation -- Positive features of the new laws -- Limitations and inadequacies in the new laws -- The role of humanists in science -- Introduction to the use of animals in applied medical research -- The focus of medical research and practice--some philosophical reflections -- Introduction to the use of animals in drug research -- Introduction to the use of animals for product extraction -- Conclusion -- 4. Morality and pet animals -- Morality, empathy, and individuality -- The triggering of empathy -- Pet animals and the social contract -- Human breach of contract -- Violating the right to life -- The human tragedy -- Violation of Telos -- Social institutions as a mirror of individual irresponsibility -- Viable legislation and the pet problem -- The need for an education Blitzkrieg -- The role of animal advocacy -- The role of veterinarians.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.