Animal Morality: What It Means and Why It Matters

Area of Science:

• Animal Ethics
• Moral Philosophy
• Animal Welfare Science

Background:

• The concept of animals as moral subjects, capable of moral motivations, is increasingly discussed.
• Existing ethical frameworks often focus on animal welfare in terms of hedonic states (pleasure/pain).

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the ethical consequences if animals are considered moral subjects.
• To apply the capabilities approach to understand the moral entitlements of moral animals.
• To re-evaluate animal practices based on the flourishing of moral capabilities.

Main Methods:

• Presupposing the plausibility of animals as moral subjects.
• Utilizing Martha Nussbaum's capabilities approach.
• Analyzing ethical harms beyond hedonistic welfare.

Main Results:

• Beings recognized as moral subjects are entitled to opportunities for their moral capabilities to flourish.
• The thwarting of these moral capabilities constitutes a significant harm.
• This harm cannot be adequately explained by hedonistic welfare considerations alone.

Conclusions:

• Recognizing animals as moral subjects necessitates a richer ethical framework than traditional welfare models.
• The capabilities approach provides a valuable lens for assessing harms to moral animals.
• Current animal practices require re-assessment in light of the need for moral flourishing.