I think animals matter morally, but their moral worth is derived from the value they offer to humans (eg as pets or food). I wouldn’t particularly care about birds crashing into windows unless the owners of the windows care, in which case they will voluntarily invest in measures to prevent such crashes and no regulation is necessary. Or maybe if birds crash into windows so much that it has a negative effect on the ecosystem, with knock-on effects in turn hurting people.
I always get a bit queasy when somebody tries to present some moral calculus and then wants it turned into legislation. It’s just a way of saying the government should force others, on your behalf, to do what you think is right. That’s not the government’s job.
I think animals matter morally, but their moral worth is derived from the value they offer to humans (eg as pets or food). I wouldn’t particularly care about birds crashing into windows unless the owners of the windows care, in which case they will voluntarily invest in measures to prevent such crashes and no regulation is necessary. Or maybe if birds crash into windows so much that it has a negative effect on the ecosystem, with knock-on effects in turn hurting people.
I always get a bit queasy when somebody tries to present some moral calculus and then wants it turned into legislation. It’s just a way of saying the government should force others, on your behalf, to do what you think is right. That’s not the government’s job.