what is moral status
the degree to which an organism deserves ethical consideration
What is a moral agent
A person which has the ability to discern right from wrong and can be held accountable for their actions
What is speciesism
The view that only humans should be morally considered
What is human exceptionalism
Distinct human capacities on the basis that humans have moral status and animals do not
What are the five moral theories
Utilitarian
Animal rights
Contractarian
Respect for nature
Relational
What is utilitarianism
Distinguishes right and wrong action in relation to happiness or pain
What is the animal rights moral theory
Each animal matters for its own sake, regardless of its effect on others
Animals lives matter to them
What is the contractarian theory
Animals cannot make contracts with humans but we still must treat them well as hurting them would harm the people with whom we have contracts with
What is the respect for nature moral theory
Consequences for species not individuals
What is the relational moral theory
Mutually beneficial relationship with animals
Their dependency on us obliges us to treat them well
