Comments on: Discussion of Animal Ethics at Fordham

By: » Fordham struggles to defend condemning Ann Coulter, while embracing infanticide supporter Peter Singer - Col·lege In·sur·rec·tion

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:39:02 +0000

[...] the panel, as is the editor of the conservative magazine First Things, R.R. Reno (mentioned here: http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2012/11/01/discussion-of-animal-ethics-at-fordham/). The panel is moderated by one of our own theology faculty, Charles Camosy. There will be a [...]

By: Bret Lythgoe

Bret Lythgoe — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 07:45:39 +0000

This is excellent. It’s essential for Christians (and non Christian Theists, such as Jews, Muslims, Deists) to think seriously about this. Humans, as important as we are, are not God’s only creation. Other animals deserve serious moral concern. Understandably, many Christians are not going to accept the validity of animal rights. I certainly respect this view. But those who deny that animals have rights, must devise a philosophically coherent moral theory, that takes animal consciousness and suffering seriously. It must go beyond the inadequate animal welfare position, that essentially argues that we should not abuse animals, (which is good, of course), but doesn’t address the billions of animals that suffer abuse daily producing food. Matthew Scully’s excellent 2001 book DOMINION goes a long way in showing, on a practical level, how conservatives and others, can treat animals better, without endorsing animal rights.

By: Eric Meyer

Eric Meyer — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 21:31:26 +0000

Hello Slats,
Thanks for keeping an open mind! I’m sure we’ll talk about a number of topics, but given that humans pretty directly control the shape/length of life for millions of other animals, it doesn’t seem like *too* crazy a topic for some careful consideration.

By: slats grobnik

slats grobnik — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 20:15:10 +0000

When will the panel of non-human animals meet to discuss the conflict between carnivores and prey? I hear that topic is gaining traction too. Or is this another species-ist conference where human animals speak for everyone else?