Question 1

Why does Steinbock discuss Williams's argument that animals' capacity to feel pain and affection justifies giving their interests equal consideration?

Accepted Answer

Steinbock discusses Williams's argument to argue against the claim that the mere capacity of animals to feel pain necessitates giving their interests equal consideration to those of humans.

Question 2

Steinbock argues that:

Accepted Answer

Steinbock argues that the morally relevant differences in capacities between humans and nonhuman animals justify giving greater consideration to human interests.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT an example of "taking care of one's own" that Steinbock thinks is morally justified?

Accepted Answer

Steinbock argues that favoritism based on morally irrelevant characteristics, such as race, is not morally justified. A white supremacist's actions, as described, are based on racial discrimination, which is not a morally acceptable basis for favoritism.

Question 4

Which of the following claims does Steinbock argue against in this paper?

Accepted Answer

Steinbock argues against the claim that sentience is the only relevant feature for moral consideration, suggesting that there are other factors to consider in moral reasoning.

Question 5

Assume that Steinbock is correct that human beings have certain capacities that entitle us to a privileged position in the moral community. Which of the following could you infer from that claim?

Accepted Answer

Steinbock's claim does not necessarily imply any of the given options. It only suggests that humans have certain capacities that grant them a privileged moral status, but it does not make claims about the value of human versus animal interests, the exclusivity of these capacities to humans, or the existence of nonhuman creatures with superior capacities.

Question 6

Assume that Steinbock is correct that there is a role for feeling and sentiment in moral thinking. Which of the following could you infer from that claim?

Accepted Answer

If feelings and sentiments play a role in moral thinking, then the traditional view of moral reasoning as purely rational is challenged.

Question 7

Steinbock argues that there are some differences between humans and nonhuman animals that are morally relevant and that justify giving greater consideration to human interests than we do to animals' interests.

Accepted Answer

Steinbock's argument suggests that certain characteristics unique to humans, such as higher cognitive abilities, may warrant prioritizing human interests over those of nonhuman animals in moral considerations.

Question 8

Steinbock argues that the capacity for suffering is not relevant to determining the interests of nonhuman animals.

Accepted Answer

Steinbock argues that the capacity for suffering is relevant to determining the interests of nonhuman animals, as it is a key factor in considering their moral status and the ethical treatment they deserve.

Question 9

Steinbock argues that humans are unique in their capacity for suffering and that cruel treatment of animals is morally permissible.

Accepted Answer

Steinbock does not argue that cruel treatment of animals is morally permissible; rather, she emphasizes the moral significance of suffering for both humans and animals, arguing against cruelty towards animals.

Question 10

Steinbock argues that sentience is not the only relevant consideration when weighing the interests of human and animals.

Accepted Answer

Steinbock, in her discussions on bioethics, argues that while sentience is an important factor in considering the interests and rights of beings, it is not the sole criterion. She suggests that other factors, such as the capacity for moral agency, relationships, and potential future experiences, also play crucial roles in ethical considerations, thereby indicating that sentience alone does not fully capture the moral status of humans and animals.

Question 11

Steinbock argues that humans are justified in counting our interests more heavily than the interests of animals.

Accepted Answer

Steinbock, in her discussions on the moral status of animals versus humans, argues that while animals have interests and their welfare should be considered, humans are justified in giving greater weight to human interests due to morally relevant differences between humans and animals, such as the capacity for moral agency.

Question 12

Steinbock argues that severely disabled or mentally retarded human beings have interests that count for less than the interests of other human beings.

Accepted Answer

Steinbock argues against the view that the interests of severely disabled or mentally retarded human beings count for less, advocating instead for the moral consideration of all human beings regardless of their physical or mental capabilities.

Question 13

According to Steinbock, scientific experimentation on animals is justified because human lives are more valuable than animal lives.

Accepted Answer

Steinbock argues that while animals have moral status, the potential benefits to human health and well-being from scientific experimentation justify the use of animals in research, underlining a belief in the greater value of human lives.

Question 14

According to Steinbock, factory-farm-raised meat consumption is justified because human lives are more valuable than animal lives.

Accepted Answer

Steinbock argues against factory farming due to the inhumane treatment of animals, not justifying meat consumption on the basis of human superiority.

Question 15

According to Steinbock, we should reject Singer's definition of the principle of equality.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Steinbock, we should reject Singer's...

Question 16

Steinbock's argument relies heavily on a premise, according to which nonhuman animals' interests deserve no consideration.

Accepted Answer

Steinbock's argument does not rely on the premise that nonhuman animals' interests deserve no consideration. Instead, she argues for a moral distinction between humans and animals, while still acknowledging that animals have interests that merit some level of consideration.

Question 17

In your own words, state Steinbock's main conclusion in "Speciesism and the Idea of Equality" and summarize her main argument for that conclusion.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In your own words, state Steinbock's main...

Question 18

Why, according to Steinbock, is cruelty to animals morally wrong but giving greater consideration to the interests of human beings than to those of animals morally permissible?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why, according to Steinbock, is cruelty to...

Question 19

Steinbock identifies several differences between nonhuman animals and human beings that she thinks are relevant to giving humans a privileged position in the moral community. State three of those differences in your own words, and explain why Steinbock thinks these differences are morally relevant.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Steinbock identifies several differences between nonhuman animals...

Question 20

How might someone object to Steinbock's appeal to the facts that "we feel a special obligation to" and we "feel a closer identification" with members of our own species and that this feeling makes a moral difference? Be sure to state your objection as a complete argument.

Accepted Answer

The answer of How might someone object to Steinbock's appeal...

Quiz 13: Aristotle's Ethics: Exploring Virtue and Justice