Citation
Lazarus, John (2019) Moral relevance of cognitive complexity, empathy and species differences in suffering. Animal Sentience 23(43)
Thread
Colin A. Chapman and Michael A. Huffman, Why do we want to think humans are different?
Abstract
I qualify two criticisms made by commentators on Chapman & Huffman’s target article. Responding to the view that differences between humans and other animals are irrelevant to deciding how we should treat other species, I point out that differences between any species in their capacity to suffer are morally relevant. And in response to the claim that suffering is the sole criterion for the moral treatment of animals, I argue that cognitive complexity and a capacity for empathy also have moral relevance to the extent that they influence suffering.
DOI
10.51291/2377-7478.1426
Included in
Applied Ethics Commons, Behavior and Ethology Commons, Cognition and Perception Commons, Comparative Psychology Commons