A Discussion on Animal Rights Essay

Throughout history, humans have utilized nonhuman animals for the benefit of mankind. This tendency increased as civilization developed, and presently, necessitated by staggering population growth and technological progress, human use of animals has skyrocketed. We eat them, we breed them, we use them as test subjects. Some people have begun to question the ethics of it all, sparking a debate on animal treatment and whether or not they have rights. In a paper on the subject, Carl Cohen lays out his definition of rights, explains their relationship with obligations, and uses these ideas to present the argument that manifests clearly in his piece’s title, “Why Animals Have No Rights”. THESIS

Animal testing has been one of the issues that people are fighting overtime because of its moral. Even though some results of tests are successful on people, many people are still fighting for the animal’s rights. They believe that animals should have their own rights to live a free life where they belong, just like their species. In scientists point of view, animals have been one of the main subjects to test on, but a lot of them are currently looking forward to use and develop alternatives for the cruel act of animal testing.

Today, the discussions about the protection of the animal’s rights have received the attention of many people, many countries in the world. A lot of actions have been made by animal right activists to influence the world. Alex Epstein and Yaron Book, both authors of the “The Evil of Animal ‘Right’,” argue animal right activists use too much violence on their action, which is considered going against the law. Then, the authors give a lot of evidence to prove testing animals are extinct, but using animals for testing gives us new vaccines which make our lives better. Without animals for testing, how can scientists find out the vaccine for diseases? Animal right groups are making many effects to Huntingdon Life Sciences.

Imagine one minute running freely on the vast green terrain surrounding you, then the next locked up in a cold, hard, cage. It sounds horrible, right? Who would want to be locked up with minimal area to stretch your legs, and have people staring at you constantly? I for one, would hate that. I imagine that most animals locked up would share the same feelings. I personally, am against animals being caged. They do not deserve that kind of lifestyle and should not have to live with it just because humans pay money to see it. Animals are suffering greatly from being locked away. When an animal is bought, traded or given to a zoo, the animals rights are stripped away from them.

In one way or another, animals impact people’s lives. Animals are intertwined with people in a multitude of ways. From the food on the table, the work they provide, the products in stores, or as a companion animals are interwoven into the fabric of everyday life. That is why the subject of what rights animals possess is often discussed and widely disputed. The benefits animals bring along with a clear definition of just what rights animals are entitled to are the main issues of the argument. Along with that, the theories of virtue ethics, deontology, and utilitarianism all contribute a different viewpoint on how to approach the subject from an ethical standpoint.

Animal rights activists are rallying and petitioning for an animal bill of rights because they are stating that animals are only being considered “property” by law, being no different than a table and chair. The Animal Legal Defense Fund is really passionate about the document being published even having specific rights for animals with numbering and strong evidence to back up each right and claim, leaving little detail out. Also, in the article “A Change of Heart About Animals” written by Jeremy Rifkin states “What these researchers are finding is that many of our fellow creatures are more like us than we had ever imagined” (Rikin 2). I agree with his statement, because animals and humans have many similarities pointed out by many researchers over the many years we have existed on this planet. He provides specific evidence like Koko the gorilla, who passed an IQ test with a score of 70-95 or around that range and basically I think it's pretty amazing, sad, and ironic that Koko is smarter than a majority than humans. There was also a parrot named alex who could communicate with it's owner and tell her how many of each colored shape was on a plate which was presented to him, and literally asked for a glass of water and I think that is honestly incredible.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” The social issue of animal rights first arose in the 1970s; since then the animal rights movement has gained momentum and a considerable amount of followers “Animal Rights.” Organizations like PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) hold demonstrations and protests in the streets and outside businesses to denounce the maltreatment of animals. There are two sides on this issue, those who believe that the life of an animal is inferior to that of a human’s and those who deem that animals deserve to have a life free of human interruption “What Are Animal Rights.” Without animal rights, our society can be deemed unfettered by empathy and restrained by immoral values.

Seems rhetorical, but the fact is animals live through this everyday, without even given the choice. As humans, we establish our authority among all living beings, but for what reasons? Are humans better than all other species? Or is it true that we should hold a precedence over nonhuman animals? The ultimate question then remains, should animals have as much or equal to the same rights as humans? Their are endless arguments for and against this question, and many sub arguments that go hand in hand with each side. In this paper, I will discuss the definition of what animal rights entails and expand on the history that developed it’s meaning. Furthermore, I will thoroughly discuss, reason, and explain each opinion presented by our current society as well as the positions held by previous philosophers. Lastly, I will draw a conclusion to the opinions presented by discussing my personal position on the argument of animal rights.

As of today PETA is one group that is helping animals in barbaric situation like that of professional research laboratories. In these laboratories, the staff treats animals inhumanly where chemicals are poured onto the animal causing burns and sores. According to answers.com, animal rights are the rights to humane treatment claimed on behalf of animals, especially the right not to be exploited for human purposes. This movement in America traces its roots to the settlers. According to the US History Encyclopedia in 1641, Body of Liberties laws, Massachusetts Bay Colony Puritans came up with the first animal protection laws when they included two provisions prohibiting cruelty to animals. After the Civil war is when animal rights became a

Your unwitting response only proves how adamant you are to twist and bend the rules to your convenience. The rules clearly state that "the tenant will ALSO be notified", with no further stipulation indicating that said notification is to further be forwarded by the owner of the unit. Also, VERBAL complaints are invalid, as you have stated numerous times, whenever we have addresses our own concerns with other dogs/people in the building. Therefore, you are purposely suppressing the rights we are entitled to, which is absolutely ridiculous and indicative of your personal agenda to attack, harass and discriminate against us, for no reason; which is a clear violation of the regulations set forth by the FHA, not to mention a violation of the IDFPR oath you are supposed to uphold as a licensed community association manager.

Most philosophers agree on three main points when it comes to animal rights. The first is that many animals are sentiment and can experience things. There have the ability to suffer and experience pleasure. The second point they agree on is that abusing an animal for no reason is wrong. The third is that sentient animals are worthy of some moral consideration. The main question is how much moral standing they have (Vaughn

Animal’s rights are lower than human’s rights due to the fact that animals brains are not as developed as humans and cannot express feelings; however, animals have basic rights to life and care from man (Rohr 20). Animals have

"Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; The Declaration of Independence holds these rights to be self-evident and unalienable. In the eighteenth century when these words were written they were called natural rights, today we call them human rights" (McShea 34). The issue of whether or not to grant animal rights such as those that humans retain, is a greatly disputed issue. Philosophers, clergyman, and politicians have argued the point of animal rights for years, but without success. Animal right is an extremely intricate issue that involves the question of animal intelligence, animal activist groups, and the pros and cons of granting animals their rights. Animals deserves rights just as humans because they have the same abilities that we have. In order for humans to function in daily life with confidence rights must be set in stone for humans to remain secure. Knowing this, animals should have a firm list of law to protect them as they participate in their daily life activities.

Animal activist want to state their opinion on how farm animals are mistreated but do not witness this abuse first hand, or they just hear it through the grapevine and believe what they hear. Most of these people do not have pets unless they are house pets such as dogs, cats, and hamsters. I believe these animal activist have no room to talk about our ranching or farming communities in a bad way because nine times out of ten, animals on a ranch and farm get cared for better than most people expect.

Animals Rights is a big discussion that has been around for while. Many argue since animals aren’t human, it doesn’t matter how they are treated or taken care of. There are others that do care how our animals are treated and taken care of. Animal rights are rights believed to belong to animals to live free from use in medical research, hunting, and other services to humans. This topic has been around for a while but has become more absolute (Environmental Encyclopedia, Opposing Viewpoint). Animal rights involves personal, social, legal, religious, cultural values, belief, and decisions. This alone causes the viewpoint to vary based on many factors. Add in the many benefits animals have for humans and the lines are blurred further. Animals should be treated humanely as they are living breathing beings and are aware of their lives. Animals have similar levels of biological complexity, they make conscious choices, and they are conscious and aware they exist.