You’re able to formulate your moral view clearly, which I appreciate.
However, what I have trouble with is understanding the precise quality that makes humans so special that morality should overwhelmingly be focused on them. This makes sense intuitively (we’re surrounded by humans, so we know them well). But for me, the morally most important thing about humans is their ability to feel positive and negative emotions (happiness, suffering), which is not exclusive to our species.
The question about the special trait that makes humans special has been discussed at length, but I don’t have a single resource in mind. I think this has been addressed by Peter Singer in Animal Liberation iirc. His AI can probably express these views : https://​​www.petersinger.ai/​​
Yes, I think this is one of the strongest (if not the strongest) arguments against my position, even though it’s been framed and articulated in various ways over time. It has been widely discussed, and I suspect my response may be unsatisfying to you.
To be honest, my stance on this point is largely intuition-motivated. I could find many things that I think set humans apart from animals, none of which have gone unchallenegd in the discourse, however. I acknowledge that this makes it feel incomplete or unsatisfactory, but it’s probabaly best not to launch a full on animal-rights debate here.
It would seem, then, that we’ve reached a sort of stalemate. Or, you’ve challenged my position. I’m happy to concede either way, but with that said, I won’t be dropping it as a result.
Regardless, thanks for the interesting conversation. Have a good one.
Interesting position though very curious—one on side, I understand, because evolution favoured these intuitions for quite some time. On the other side, I find really strange the ability to recognise the value of a position intellectually, but not being able to adopt it at a gut level (I mean, it’s common, it’s just that most people do that in an unconscious way).
But props to you for recognising that. I hope you have a nice week.
You’re able to formulate your moral view clearly, which I appreciate.
However, what I have trouble with is understanding the precise quality that makes humans so special that morality should overwhelmingly be focused on them. This makes sense intuitively (we’re surrounded by humans, so we know them well). But for me, the morally most important thing about humans is their ability to feel positive and negative emotions (happiness, suffering), which is not exclusive to our species.
The question about the special trait that makes humans special has been discussed at length, but I don’t have a single resource in mind. I think this has been addressed by Peter Singer in Animal Liberation iirc. His AI can probably express these views : https://​​www.petersinger.ai/​​
Yes, I think this is one of the strongest (if not the strongest) arguments against my position, even though it’s been framed and articulated in various ways over time. It has been widely discussed, and I suspect my response may be unsatisfying to you.
To be honest, my stance on this point is largely intuition-motivated. I could find many things that I think set humans apart from animals, none of which have gone unchallenegd in the discourse, however. I acknowledge that this makes it feel incomplete or unsatisfactory, but it’s probabaly best not to launch a full on animal-rights debate here.
It would seem, then, that we’ve reached a sort of stalemate. Or, you’ve challenged my position. I’m happy to concede either way, but with that said, I won’t be dropping it as a result.
Regardless, thanks for the interesting conversation. Have a good one.
Interesting position though very curious—one on side, I understand, because evolution favoured these intuitions for quite some time.
On the other side, I find really strange the ability to recognise the value of a position intellectually, but not being able to adopt it at a gut level (I mean, it’s common, it’s just that most people do that in an unconscious way).
But props to you for recognising that. I hope you have a nice week.