Unitarianism or Hierarchical Approach for Moral Status? A Very Subtle Difference

Relations. Beyond Anthropocentrism 9 (1-2):91-107 (2021)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

The article is inspired by Shelly Kagan’s recent book “How to Count Animals”, which focuses on the alternative between a unitarian and a hierarchical conception of the moral status of beings in the animal ethics debate. The paper finds a way of compromise between the two perspectives in the principle of equal consideration of interests, but above all it lessens the role of such opposition – especially its practical relevance – by emphasizing that, regardless of the fact of conceiving moral status in terms of all or nothing or in gradual terms, what really counts in our attitude towards non-human animals is to assign them an important moral consideration, that protects them not only from suffering, but also from an induced death in advance of natural times, a thesis that is compatible with both unitarianism and a hierarchical approach.

Author's Profile

Francesco Allegri
Pegaso Telematic University of Naples

Analytics

Added to PP
2022-07-03

Downloads
236 (#59,313)

6 months
98 (#35,606)

Historical graph of downloads since first upload
This graph includes both downloads from PhilArchive and clicks on external links on PhilPapers.
How can I increase my downloads?