Homework on Donaldson & Kymlicka, Animals and the frontiers of citizenship


All answers must be in your own words.

1. a. What, according to the authors, have we done to domesticated animals which means that we now owe them citizenship? (2pts)
a. Give an example, not discussed in the reading, that illustrates this, and explain how it illustrates it. (1pt)
b. Give an example, not discussed in the reading, of a domesticated animal that does not clearly fit what the authors say. In other words, give an example where the animal is domesticated, but we haven't (clearly) done all the things to it that the authors claim that we've done to domesticated animals. Explain your answer. (1pt)

2. Consider the legal rights the authors think citizens are owed. Which two does the law in the U.S. most clearly not see animals as having? Briefly illustrate and/or support your claims. (2pts)

3. The authors claim that, "[t]he fundamental basis of democratic citizenship is not rational reflection, but rather the capacity for norm responsiveness in inter-subjective relationships - the ability to moderate behaviour in accord with internalized norms when relating to other selves." (217)
a. What does this mean? Explain in your own words (especially making clear what the capacities are that the authors are talking about). (1pt)
b. Give some evidence that domesticated animals have this capacity. (1pt)

4. To what extent do you agree with or disagree with the authors? Why (give evidence or arguments to support what you think on this issue)? (2pts)