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Human Superiority
Many people assert that humans are superior to animals. Reasons given are that humans are conscious and self-aware, rational, intelligent, speak language, are artistically creative, and have moral freedom and souls.
Nothing is better at being a wolf than a wolf.
They say these characteristics indicate superiority because they are valuable for us to possess as individuals and for the rise of civilisation; they are more valuable than mere animal strength, keen eyesight or swiftness.However, it is unreasonable to judge animals solely by the standard of human values and to claim the importance of human characteristics only from the human point of view. For a balanced outlook we must surely judge animals from the perspective of their own capacities and values (assuming we actually know what they are). From their position, a bear and an eagle would reject human capabilities as purposeless. From the perspective of a bear, strength and a good nose are everything. Without sharp vision and swiftness, an eagle would perish. Another common misconception is that humans are morally superior to animals. The notion is wrong for two reasons. First, if you claim animals are not moral agents (that is they do not know moral right from wrong) then you cannot claim humans are morally superior, because you cannot judge a standard against something that does not exist. You cannot judge the goodness of butter against nothing. You can only judge one standard against another similar standard. Second, if you assume animals are moral agents (that they can act morally), then you can compare and contrast the morality of one species with another species. But you cannot claim that one species is morally superior to another. The morality of human-kind and wolf-kind is neither better nor worse than the other. Humans are morally good at being humans and wolves are morally good at being wolves. You can compare and contrast Mozart with Beethoven, Newton with Einstein, or butter with engine oil. But you cannot rationally claim that one is superior to the other. You might voice a preference for one over the other, but that is just your personal taste. Humans and wolves (or any other animal) are just different and that is all you can say. Click to go to silhouettes. ›› To Entries & Home |
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