How should we view animals? Should animals have rights like us?
This is an academic approach to animal ethics. The issue of animal ethics is usually discussed in a highly emotive fashion, (usually accompanied with gruesome images). This makes it hard to see the arguments clearly. This course deliberately avoids emotive content or images in order to allow you to focus on the issues at stake. Humans have rights – most importantly the right to life and the right to liberty. Should animals have these same rights? If not what kind of rights should they have, or is rights the wrong language?
What you’ll learn
- Learn about issues of non-human life and death. Suitable for AS and A level students studying AQA Religious Studies..
- Learn about the issues related to eating non-human animals. Do animals have rights? What are human obligations to animals?.
- Learn about the issues of using non-human animals for scientific research. Is it OK to clone animals and use them to trial drugs?.
- Learn about the issue of using animals in sport. Consider the issues of blood sports and hunting.
Course Content
- Introduction –> 1 lecture • 27min.
- Animal Rights or Human Obligations –> 1 lecture • 16min.
- Application of Ethical theories –> 1 lecture • 28min.
- Use of Animals – Christianity –> 1 lecture • 20min.
- Use of Animals – Cloning –> 1 lecture • 13min.
- Use of Animals as Food – Factory Farming –> 1 lecture • 19min.
- Xenotransplantation –> 1 lecture • 18min.
- Blood Sports –> 1 lecture • 23min.
Requirements
This is an academic approach to animal ethics. The issue of animal ethics is usually discussed in a highly emotive fashion, (usually accompanied with gruesome images). This makes it hard to see the arguments clearly. This course deliberately avoids emotive content or images in order to allow you to focus on the issues at stake. Humans have rights – most importantly the right to life and the right to liberty. Should animals have these same rights? If not what kind of rights should they have, or is rights the wrong language?
Suitable for students who want to be well informed and/or studying AQA A level Religious Studies. Includes:
1. Introductiory themes – basic philosophical principles outlined
2. Human rights or human obligations: should animal have rights?
3. Ethical theories including Natural moral law, utilitarianism, virtue theory
4. Ethical theories within the Christian tradition
5.Use of animals in scientific procedures including cloning
6. Use of animals as food – including intensive farming of animals
7. Animals as a source of transplant organs
8. Blood sports, including hunting
At the end of this course you will feel confident discussing the issue of how we should view animals. You will be secure in the knowledge that you have the academic framework needed for deep reflection and be better able to defend your views.