Week 2

DQ 1

Singer argues that there is no moral justification for denying moral consideration to animals. Can you think of a good moral reason why our moral consideration should include all humans, even those without the ability to reason yet denied to all non-human animals (some of whom have that ability)? What response might he have to your way of drawing the line between the types of beings that should get moral consideration and those that should not?

DQ 2

After watching the 9-minute  Films On Demand video “Religion, War and Violence: The Ethics of War and Peace,” provide an example of a war waged on the basis of retaliation against an aggressor, and a war waged on the basis of humanitarian intervention.   Discuss the differences between the ways in which these two kinds of war apply the utilitarian principle of the greatest good.  Be sure to identify whose greatest good is being served in each kind of war.  Complete your post by discussing which of these kinds of war is easiest to justify using utilitarian principles.