Animal Rights

Question 1

Blackfish

Answer 1

A 2013 documentary that exposed the ethical and psychological issues of keeping orcas in captivity, focusing on the story of Tilikum, a performing whale at SeaWorld

Question 2

Orca

Answer 2

Also known as killer whales, orcas are highly intelligent and social marine mammals; their captivity, especially in theme parks, has raised major animal rights concerns

Question 3

SeaWorld

Answer 3

A marine theme park criticized for its treatment of animals, especially orcas; brought into controversy by the documentary Blackfish and Tilikum

Question 4

Tilikum

Answer 4

A male orca held at SeaWorld involved in multiple trainer deaths; his story became central in Blackfish and ignited public debate over animal captivity

Question 5

St. Thomas Aquinas

Answer 5

Medieval philosopher who argued that only rational beings (humans) have rights, implying that animals do not have moral status

Question 6

Immanuel Kant

Answer 6

Philosopher who believed animals lack rights, but cruelty toward them is still wrong because it dulls human morality and compassion

Question 7

Rene Descartes

Answer 7

Philosopher who viewed animals as machines without consciousness or feelings, supporting a view that animals are not morally significant

Question 8

Charles Darwin

Answer 8

Naturalist who demonstrated biological continuity between humans and animals, especially in nervous systems, suggesting animals can feel pain and emotion

Question 9

Albert Schweitzer

Answer 9

Twentieth-century thinker who argued that all life is sacred and deserving of respect, forming an ethical basis for nonviolence toward animals

Question 10

Peter Singer

Answer 10

Author of Animal Liberation (1975); argues that the ability to suffer, not rationality, should be the basis for rights–making animals morally equal to humans in that regard