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Flashcards in this deck (76)

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  • What are the two primary roles animals are seen as in North America?

    • Food
    • Pets
    animals roles

  • What ethical questions are raised about eating animals in North America?

    • Is it morally right?
    • Health-related consequences
    ethics food

  • Who introduced the protein theory related to vegetarianism in North America?

    Frances Moore Lappé (1971)

    vegetarianism theory

  • What was the main message of Lappé’s Protein Theory?

    Meat consumption is inefficient, unhealthy, and harmful to the planet.

    theory health

  • According to Lappé, what is the real issue behind global food scarcity?

    Unequal distribution of calories and food waste.

    food scarcity

  • What example does Lappé give for the inefficiency of meat production?

    A chicken consumes 8 pounds of protein feed for 1 pound of meat protein.

    meat production

  • What healthier alternative does Lappé suggest for human diet?

    Eating the protein feed given to chickens instead of chicken meat.

    diet health

  • How does Lappé characterize eating animals in terms of social behavior?

    Short-sighted, destructive behavior driven by taste and privilege.

    behavior privilege

  • Why was Lappé’s argument considered revolutionary?

    It challenged the norm of regular meat consumption in North America.

    revolutionary meat

  • Why do meat consumption numbers remain consistent despite plant-based alternatives?

    Plant-based options haven't significantly changed meat consumption habits.

    consumption plant-based

  • How much meat does the average person consume annually in North America?

    Approximately 96.8 kg per person per year.

    meat statistics

  • What factors contribute to the decline in beef consumption?

    Beef is relatively expensive.

    beef economics

  • Which type of meat has seen the largest increase in popularity?

    Chicken, with an increase of 84%.

    chicken popularity

  • What percentage of the population identifies as vegetarian?

    About 12%, but fluctuates over time.

    vegetarian population

  • Why might pork consumption be lower among certain populations?

    Cultural or religious dietary restrictions.

    pork diet

  • What are some ecological impacts of industrial animal farming?

    • Methane emissions
    • Fecal runoff
    • Damage to grazing lands
    ecology farming

  • How does high animal density in farming contribute to environmental problems?

    Leads to waste mismanagement and increased methane output.

    density environment

  • What is a long-term consequence of cattle grazing on land surfaces?

    Land becomes permanently damaged and unusable for agriculture.

    cattle land

  • What is a common misconception about organic food regarding pesticides?

    People assume it's pesticide-free, but cross-contamination occurs.

    organic pesticides

  • What percentage of Canadian grocery shoppers bought organic groceries weekly in 2017?

    66%, up from 56%.

    organic canada

  • What health benefit might organic food offer over conventional food?

    May reduce exposure to contaminants and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

    health organic

  • Why are chickens considered cheap to produce in factory farming?

    They can be raised in very high densities, reducing costs.

    chickens cost

  • What are the risks associated with high-density animal farming?

    Increased risk of disease and environmental issues.

    farming risks

  • What is one possible origin theory of COVID-19?

    Unsanitary contact with animals in Wuhan wet markets, possibly involving bats.

    covid-19 origin theory

  • Why are animals used as test subjects in research?

    Essential for testing biotechnology, medications, and understanding disease before human trials.

    research animals testing

  • What ethical concern arises with using animals in cosmetic research?

    Cosmetic testing may be seen as less justifiable compared to life-saving medical research.

    ethics cosmetics research

  • What is xenotransplantation?

    Transplanting genetically altered animal organs into humans, raising zoonotic infection concerns.

    xenotransplantation ethics animals

  • Why do universities have strict ethical guidelines around animal testing?

    To minimize animal suffering and ensure research benefits human health.

    ethics animal_testing guidelines

  • What controversial view did Peter Singer express about severely disabled individuals?

    He argued that severely disabled individuals may not be considered persons, questioning the necessity of care.

    peter_singer disability ethics

  • How did Singer act differently when his own mother developed Alzheimer’s?

    He continued to care for her, showing conflict between personal emotion and philosophical principle.

    peter_singer alzheimer's ethics

  • What does Singer mean by 'personhood'?

    Defined by characteristics like autonomy and rational thought, affecting moral consideration.

    personhood ethics singer

  • What is Singer’s stance on the ethical treatment of animals?

    As a strict utilitarian, he believes in expanding moral consideration to higher-order mammals.

    ethics animals utilitarianism

  • What is speciesism?

    Discrimination against beings based on their species, similar to racism or sexism.

    speciesism ethics discrimination

  • How does Singer’s idea of 'expanding the greatest number' challenge traditional ethics?

    It includes non-human mammals in moral calculations, broadening utilitarian ethics.

    ethics utilitarianism singer

  • What role does the concept of a soul play in justifying human superiority?

    Many believe humans are superior due to having an eternal soul, a belief not universally shared.

    soul ethics superiority

  • Give an example of how personhood has been used to justify discrimination.

    The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Black people were only 3/5 of a person, denying full rights.

    personhood discrimination history

  • How do some belief systems like Buddhism view animals?

    They believe in reincarnation into animals and consider them beings with souls deserving respect.

    buddhism animals ethics

  • What is one critique of animal rights based on autonomy?

    Animals lack autonomy and self-awareness, so some argue they can't be full moral agents.

    animal_rights autonomy ethics

  • According to Peter Singer, what is the ethical significance of the ability to feel pain?

    If a being can suffer, it is morally wrong to cause that suffering; a key foundation of his ethics.

    peter_singer ethics pain

  • Why do some cultures justify eating shrimp based on Singer’s framework?

    They believe shrimp cannot feel pain, so eating them doesn’t violate the principle of avoiding suffering.

    ethics shrimp singer

  • What does Singer say about decision-making in determining personhood?

    A person must be able to make their own decisions freely, not just act on primal instincts.

    personhood decision-making ethics

  • Give an example highlighting the difference in decision-making between humans and animals.

    Humans may choose to go on a diet for aesthetic reasons, unlike animals who act on instincts.

    decision-making humans animals

  • What is an example of decision-making differences between humans and animals?

    Humans may choose to go on a diet for aesthetic reasons, while cows would not make such decisions.

    decision-making humans animals

  • What does Singer mean by the ability to foresee a future?

    A person should be able to make plans, set goals, and take actions to achieve those goals.

    personhood future

  • Why is the ability to communicate important for personhood?

    It reflects awareness, understanding, and the ability to interact meaningfully with others.

    communication personhood

  • What role does reason play in Singer’s definition of personhood?

    A person must be able to act based on rational thought, not just instinct or impulse.

    reason personhood

  • What is the difference between being conscious and being self-aware?

    Being conscious means being awake, while self-awareness means recognizing oneself as an individual with thoughts and identity.

    consciousness self-awareness

  • How does Singer define autonomy in the context of personhood?

    Autonomy means being biologically and psychologically capable of making independent decisions.

    autonomy personhood

  • How many core traits does Singer associate with personhood?

    Seven traits, which together determine whether a being should be granted full moral consideration as a person.

    personhood traits

  • What might disqualify a human from being considered a person?

    If they cannot feel pain, make decisions, foresee the future, communicate, reason, be self-aware, or act autonomously—such as in cases of severe brain damage.

    personhood disqualification

  • Why might a tuna be considered a person but not a brain-damaged human?

    If the tuna fulfills more of the criteria for personhood than the brain-damaged human, it could be granted greater moral consideration.

    personhood tuna

  • Why does Singer argue that early abortion is ethically acceptable?

    He believes humans do not attain personhood until at least 3 months after birth, meaning fetuses do not yet qualify as persons.

    abortion ethics

  • What is Singer’s justification for supporting euthanasia or MAID?

    He believes that humans who fall below the threshold of personhood should not continue using resources that could benefit others who still qualify as persons.

    euthanasia personhood

  • Why does Singer oppose xenotransplantation involving higher-order mammals?

    Because mammals that qualify as persons cannot give consent, and their interests must not be disregarded.

    xenotransplantation ethics

  • Why would Singer oppose animal research involving primates like monkeys?

    If monkeys meet the criteria for personhood, experimenting on them would be as unethical as experimenting on humans without consent.

    animal_research primates

  • What extreme implication does Singer’s view raise about human experimentation?

    It suggests that humans who fall below the personhood threshold could ethically be used for research, just like non-person animals.

    human_experimentation ethics

  • What is Richard Posner’s main critique of Singer’s view?

    He proposes a synthesis: we should reduce animal suffering without compromising human progress, quality of life, or scientific advancement.

    critique posner

  • How does Posner’s lab-grown meat example reflect his ethical compromise?

    It avoids animal cruelty by using stem cells to grow meat in vitro, providing ethical food options without sacrificing the benefits of meat consumption.

    lab-grown_meat ethics

  • Why does Posner argue that his approach benefits both animals and humans?

    It addresses animal suffering while ensuring affordable food and continued scientific progress for humanity, promoting the greater good.

    benefits animals humans

  • How is speciesism similar to racism or sexism?

    It treats one group as inferior without valid justification.

    ethics discrimination

  • How can speciesism occur based on group classification?

    • Favoring one species over another
    • Disregarding less-valued species
    ethics speciesism

  • Can speciesism occur within a species?

    Yes, it can occur both between and within species.

    ethics speciesism

  • What makes a treatment or belief discriminatory?

    Worse treatment without valid justification.

    ethics discrimination

  • What is an example of epistemic discrimination in speciesism?

    Assuming nonhuman animals have lower cognitive capacities than they do.

    ethics speciesism

  • What is a radically narrow definition of speciesism?

    Discrimination based solely on species membership, ignoring other traits.

    ethics speciesism

  • What is definitional speciesism?

    Discrimination against beings not in a preferred species, like favoring humans.

    ethics speciesism

  • What does a moderately narrow definition of speciesism allow for?

    Unequal treatment based on intrinsic traits like cognitive ability.

    ethics speciesism

  • What does the broad definition of speciesism include?

    Any unjustified discrimination based on species.

    ethics speciesism

  • Why is lack of justification key in identifying speciesism?

    Ethical discrimination must be based on morally relevant differences.

    ethics discrimination

  • What is meta-discrimination?

    Prioritizing discrimination against humans over that against animals.

    ethics speciesism

  • What is the evaluative account of speciesism?

    Defines speciesism as unjustified discrimination.

    ethics speciesism

  • Why is speciesism wrong according to the evaluative account?

    It involves unjustified, morally arbitrary discrimination based on species.

    ethics speciesism

  • What is the descriptive account of speciesism?

    Any unequal treatment based on species, justified or not.

    ethics speciesism

  • How does the descriptive account differ from the evaluative account?

    It's broader and neutral, describing unequal treatment without moral judgment.

    ethics speciesism

  • Why does treating speciesism as less important reflect speciesism?

    It places greater moral weight on human suffering, reinforcing bias.

    ethics speciesism

  • What is necessary to take speciesism seriously?

    Clear and consistent definition of speciesism for ethical discussions.

    ethics speciesism