Animals as Persons

Question 1

Optimistic view: What attributes of personhood can animals possess?

Answer 1

Communication, Loyalty, emotion, sociable and capable of rational thought.

Question 2

Optimistic view: What did Hume say?

Answer 2

Animals form beliefs, show pride and humility. This is not an instinct but the sign of Intelligent thought.

Question 3

Optimistic view: What did Gaita say?

Answer 3

Animals can have memories and form a network of beliefs. They are self aware and show desires and belief. Cockatoo example.

Question 4

Pessimistic view: What did Descartes say?

Answer 4

Animals lacked a rational soul, they cannot reason which is a fundamental trait of personhood.

Question 5

Pessimistic view: What did Davidson say?

Answer 5

Believed speech was the key aspect to Personhood, therefore animals could not qualify as people.