Received opinion has it that humans are morally superior to non-human animals; human interests matter more than the like interests of animals and the value of human lives is alleged to be greater than the value of nonhuman animal lives. Since this belief causes mayhem and murder, its de-mythologizing requires urgent attention.
Received opinion has it that humans are morally superior to non-human animals; human interests matter more than the like interests of animals and the value of human lives is alleged to be greater than the value of nonhuman animal lives. Since this belief causes mayhem and murder, its de-mythologizing requires urgent attention.
Preface1. On the Relative Unimportance of Human Interests1.1. Setting the Stage1.2. What Do We mean When We Say that Human Interests are More Significant than Animal Interests?1.3. Does the Cosmos Inform Us that Human Interests are More Significant than Animal Interests?1.4. Should Humans Consider Human Interests More Significant than Animal Interests?2. On the Relative Unimportance of Human Life2.1. Setting the Stage2.2. The Disvalue of Death Argument2.3. Why Your Death is Less Important than You Think2.4. The Problem With Valuing Capacities2.5. From Preservation to Creation2.6. Mill's ArgumentConclusion