Philosophy 235, Homework on Singer, Animal Liberation


The answers to these questions must be in your own words. Please try to keep the answers brief where possible. No handwritten homework will be accepted.


1. Singer discusses the idea that human interests matter more than do the interests of animals because humans are smarter, or more rational, than animals.
a. According to Singer, thinking that human interests matter more than the interests of animals because humans are smarter is similar to believing another claim, which is quite implausible. What is that other claim? (2pts)
b. According to Singer, does it never make a difference to how we should treat people or animals that one is smarter than the other? If it can sometimes make a difference, how? (2pt)
c. According to Singer, in what way does the difference in intelligence not make a difference to how we should treat humans and animals? (2pt)

2. a. What, according to Singer, makes it wrong to kill, rather than merely hurt, a human or an animal? (1pt)
b. Do you agree? Why or why not? (1pt)

3. What is the best argument you can think of against Singer's general view of the importance of animal suffering? It's OK if you didn't come up with the argument on your own, but please give a citation if you didn't. (2pts)