Open AccessThe metaphysical dimension of animal ethics
Author(s) -
Norbert Walz
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
altex/alternatives to animal experimentation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.975
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1868-8551
pISSN - 1868-596X
DOI - 10.14573/altex.2008.4.321
Subject(s) - metaphysics , value (mathematics) , dimension (graph theory) , epistemology , animal life , environmental ethics , human life , human dimension , natural (archaeology) , animal ethics , intrinsic value (animal ethics) , sociology , philosophy , law , political science , computer science , humanity , mathematics , biology , zoology , paleontology , machine learning , pure mathematics , human rights
Utilitarian ethics recognises animals as moral objects, but it does not attribute an absolute value to human or non-human individuals. Animal ethics according to Regan defines the non-human individual as an inherent value, but concedes that humans should be given precedence over animals if a situation involves a decision between life and death. Such life and death decisions relate to the fundamental structures of biological nature. To individuals these fundamental structures (the paradox of life and death) will necessarily appear absurd. The metaphysical dimension of animal ethics tries to shed light on the connections between life and death, body and mind that underly ethical discussions and searches for alternatives to the natural organisation of life.