Ethical Issues In Ted Kotcheff's 1971 Film

Is it ethical for animals to have the same rights as humans? During this paper I will present the views of both sides. I will try my best to give the reader a chance to come to there own unbiased conclusion. I will talk about the key areas of animal ethics. I will present the facts and reasoning behind the arguments over Animal cruelty, testing, hunting, and improper housing. My conclusion will hopefully bring us closer to answering many of the question surrounding “Animal Rights and Ethics”.

Michael Pollan’s, An Animal’s Place, analyzes the controversial topic of animal abuse while Pollan himself struggles to comprehend the relationship between humans and non-humans. Whether animals are used for food or clothing, Pollan’s impartial view of the moral ethics behind the treatment of animals acknowledges that we as readers are susceptible to influence and he encourages the questioning of our own beliefs. Rather than succumbing to Singer’s, All Animals are Equal demands of making it our “Moral obligation to cease supporting the practice” (pg.4), Pollan conveys the benefits as well as the concerns to the consummation of animals. From the personal connection Pollan establishes with his readers, his progressive beliefs

Murder and abuse cases never fail to startle society. Moral codes are flouted with unmatched rigorousness by these indubitable egregious crimes. Sufferers in these cases are often people. Nonetheless, these callous obscenities should not be seen as less important when animals are the victims. Animals undergo horrendous abuse due to barbaric individuals, greed, and unnecessary lab testing.

Despite being ‘cruel’ in order to meet the requirements of ‘Australians for Animal Rights’, humans have considered the report ‘alternative’ and ‘important’, compounding the agency’s apparent guilt. This attack on humans invites both readers and carnivores by choice to support the tough action done by the Australians for Animal Rights in defence of the animal society. The tone of the article becomes less forceful when explaining the Australians for Animal Rights’s response. Talk of ‘compassionate people’ and ‘breaking the law’ gives way to a more conciliatory tone, reporting an agreement between humans and the Australians for Animal Rights in order to ‘justify’ to ‘damage’, risks and ‘poor creatures’ involved. Jo’s use of language is most likely intended to encouraging the readers to accept their ‘self-serving purposes’ and to perceive of ‘animal rights’ as a

The film Death on a Factory Farm, emphasizes on the politics of sight as a vital component in distance and concealment to establish power, laws, and social values within our society that allow human beings to inflict pain on livestock. This film focuses on Ken Wiles’ farm where pigs are being exploited on a daily basis and employees practice hanging as an alternative to euthanasia to kill sick sows. Although Pete, the undercover animal right’s investigator, tries to bring some justice to these pigs by collecting video footage of abuse, filth, disease, cannibalism, violence, death, and executions during his time of employment in Ken Wile’s farm the court fails to convict all defendants with the total of ten counts of animal cruelty because of

Every 60 seconds an animal is abused. Dogs, cats, horses, and many other types of animals are being neglected and tortured everyday, yet resulting in few and minor consequences for the perpetrators. Animal abuse is prevalent in the United States and has been an ongoing issue since the 1970's, and prior to. Society as a whole has chosen to avoid the facts and arguments about animal cruelty, because to some it is seen as acceptable and typical. It becomes much more frowned upon when people actually see the results of the cruelty, especially in the media.

In today’s world dogs may very well be considered man’s best friend, but in the days of old horses weren’t just man’s best friend, they were the most important tool in his possession. From being a form transportation to being used in competitions and battles to even being a source of food, horses have always been an iconic figure in American history. Movies such as The Horse Whisperer, Dreamer, and Flicka portray horses as majestic and powerful creatures full of grace and beauty that are much more of a companion than a tool. This is quite possibly why the topic of horse slaughter has been such a taboo in today’s culture. While in many countries around the world horsemeat is considered a type of delicacy, to most American’s the idea of eating these exquisite creatures is hard to stomach. There are people who see no wrong in slaughtering horses just like any other livestock animal, though others find it inhumane and cruel. Those who are pro-slaughter have many practical and economic reasons for supporting it, while those opposed have ethical issues against it.

The idea of animal rights has been around for centuries. Even decades ago, people were taking action for the welfare of animals. Marc Bekoff and Ned Hettinger share this idea all the way back in 1994 when they said that there is evidence that scientist are concerned with animal welfare by acknowledge that they use the guidelines in place to protect animals during research, in order to have their work published (Bekoff 219). Guidelines are the basis for the moral and ethical treatment of animals. Each person may have his or her own standard, but having a standard among the entire population ensures the welfare of the animals. Unfortunately, these standards are not at a level to where the animals are being protected. Many animals in captivity are treated in ways that would shock the average person. Orcas for example, are starved until they do the desired task (Cowperthwaite). This form of operant condition can lead to success, but often leads to resentment and hostility towards the trainers.

Around 70% of all acts of animal cruelty in America is related to the use of work animals. Different people have different view on how animals should be treated. Some believe that animals deserve the same respect as humans, and others believe that animals are just soulless objects and should be treated as such. In Jack London’s magnum opus, “The Call of the Wild”, two of the characters, Perrault and Hal, are both shown to treat work animals very differently.

“Nearly as many, 68 percent, were concerned or very concerned about the well-being of animals used in ‘sports’ or contests as well as animals in laboratories (67 percent) (Kretzer, 1).” Many people question whether an animal is capable of thought and emotions. Others feel as though animals are the equivalent of humans and should be treated as such. Since the 1800’s, animal rights has been a topic that has several different sides including two extremes. If animals can react to their environment, emote, and are aware of things done to or with them, then they should have similar rights to humans.

In “The Case for Animal Rights,” Tom Regan emphasizes his philosophy on animal and human equality. After reading further into his work, he illustrates a societal system that belittles animals and their significance to our own existence. Regan conceptualizes that animals won’t have real rights unless we change our beliefs. We need to acknowledge a problem. After identifying the issue, we must recognize that there is a need for change in society. In addition, he also reiterates the importance of the populace changing the way they view animals. The way society views animals will create a snowball effect that will influence politicians to also believe in animal rights.

In Peter Singer’s piece “All Animals Are Equal”, he begins his argument by an in-depth consideration of notable rights movements, such as the Black Liberation and women’s rights movement, then segues into the justification for equal consideration of rights regarding animals, before finally exposing the immorality behind factory farming and animal cruelty. According to Singer, “the basic principle of equality…is equality of consideration; and equal consideration for different beings may lead to different treatment and different rights” (Singer 1974, 506). Based off proposed animals’ rights to equal consideration, Singer formats his main arguments against factory farming and the mistreatment of animals in general. These arguments stem from

Throughout history morality has been a topic of intense debate. Innumerable thinkers have devoted immense amounts of time and energy to the formulation of various ethical theories intended to assist humans in their daily lives. These theories set out guidelines which help to determine the rightness or wrongness of any given action and can therefore illuminate which choice would be morally beneficial. And while many of these theories differ substantially, most have at least one common underlying principle, namely that humans deserve to be treated with a certain level of respect. This idea comes from the belief that all humans have interests which are significant enough to be considered, hence no one should impede another

Peter Singer addresses the ordeal of animal rights better than I have ever seen anyone address it. His analysis laid out in A Utilitarian Defense of Animal Liberation is remarkably stated. He pushes the viewer to see animals as equals to us.

In the documentary, Earthlings, written and produced by Shaun Monson, we get a rude awakening concerning the day-to-day practices of the large industries treatment of animals. This paper will include an explanation behind the argument implied by the writer and defense against the argument being made.