Unit 6: Anthropocentrism

Question 1

What is speciesism?

Answer 1

O’Neil says : the unfair and prejudiced treatment of creatures based only on their species membership. Involves idea that some species -humans- are better than others which makes it “acceptable” to abuse or exploit non human animals

Question 2

Anti-speciesism is ..

Answer 2

Type of philosophy that rejects speciesism and prompts treating all living things morally regardless of species. Doesn’t believe in the right to abuse or exploit animals for personal gain or to benefit one species over the rest

Question 3

3 planetary boundaries we have crossed

Answer 3

rate of biodiversity loss
Disruption of the nitrogen cycle
Climate change

Question 4

What limits need to be set for the rights of future generations ?

Answer 4

Rights must be limited to protect interests and wellbeing. Boundaries placed on activity that negatively impacts the env. Rules for the use of resources and the adoption of sustainable practices to protect natural resources for future. Ex. Bombing people and possessing weapons that destroy the environment on a mass scale (guns, bombs, nuclear war, gas, etc) should be a crime punishable by death.

Question 5

Gewirth says about positive vs negative rights?

Answer 5

Negative: a sense of interference
Positive: involve provision of resources of assistance