Goals:
To examine the ways in which animals are treated in today's society. To answer the following questions: Do animals have rights? How would society need to change if animal rights were recognized?
Lesson Plan:
Discussion. (This took place during dinner, so I made a discussion based format and mainly asked questions).
If they say:
Animals should not have rights, because are more powerful than animals.
This is the "might makes right" argument
Response: that is the same argument that says victors can use the conquered as they wish
Animals have rights, and their rights should be protected.
Response:
What exactly should their rights be? Should wild animals have sovereignty (as philosopher Susan Donaldson believes)?
Should people eat meat?
If human interests and animal rights collide (e.g. animal testing for life saving drugs), should animal rights prevail?
If yes: why? Are human lives worth the same amount as animal lives?
No
Hierarchy of rights–human rights are more important, but only if there is not a viable alternative (as Peter Singer discusses)
Why are humans more important? Is it purely because of the species? What if fully coherent aliens came to Earth?
Utilitarian: there will be more gross happiness from the use of animals in medical testing so it is alright
Response: would it be alright to use humans in this manner?
This was an interesting discussion! Everyone ended on the welfare belief: that animals have the right to a humane life, but that their rights are subordinate to people's needs.