Both Kant and Mill express a number of extremely valid points, along with some weak arguments, in their philosophical views as applied to animal rights. Kant?s inspection of reason is very logical as seen in his idea of a priori knowledge. Only humans could be capable of such a task since animals generally do respond to instinct. Evidence of this claim sets humans apart from animals through one of the most important arguments regarding the issue of animal rights: the ability to reason. However, despite the advantage of reason, rational beings should not be the only beings that are ?ends in themselves?. I view all beings as having an end in themselves, including animals. However, I see animal experimentation and sacrifice as a necessary means for human survival. Moving to Mill, his idea of pleasure and pain has possible strong points in that pain is attempted to be reduced and pleasure is attempted to be magnified. This idea seems like a universal good that can be easily accepted. However, this idea is only seen as good to those who receive pleasure. The animals, for example, lose in the case of animal experimentation since they receive the bulk of the pain. Also, the utilitarian idea that you must consider the pleasure and pain of everyone and then come to a conclusion seems too difficult and far-fetched. This concept should be restricted to considering only the pleasure and pain of those directly involved, which is difficult in this case since almost all people and animals are implicated into this dilemma.
Despite the strengths of both Kant?s and Mill?s arguments, I do not believe either one is single-handedly apt to make an omniscient decision regarding the bestowing of animal rights. Kant?s policy portrays animals as the non-rational servants of man. This view could not hold up in today?s animal rights debate because it is too harsh and does not take into account the animal as having a purpose in life for its own sake. Mill?s point of view is too hedonistic, even though it aims to reduce pain at the same time. Religious authorities might even claim the utilitarian perspective to be atheist since its structure is so highly aimed at pleasure.
Finally, I ask this question to one who is totally against the slaughter of animals for any reason. If big, disgusting rats infested your house, would you round up each one and free them in the woods, or would you set dozens of rattraps around the house or maybe call an exterminator? My point is that if it doesn?t threaten you directly, you may not realize the full extent of the ordeal. Considering the seriousness of the ethical dilemma of bestowing animal rights or not, and weighing all of the opposing views, I come to the conclusion that siding with those who promote the use of animals for human benefit seems more logical and practical, despite the fact that life is lost.
Bibliography
Annotated
b4f
Kant, Immanuel. Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals. Harper & Row Publishers. New York, New York. 1964.
-Used Kant?s text in order to lay down his principles and beliefs. Mainly used simply for background into his theories.
Mill, John Stuart. Utilitarianism. Prentice Hall. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. 1957
-Used this to give background of Utilitarianism, including theories and principles.
Miller, David Lee. The Debate About Animal Properties.
http://www.sunyit.edu/~miller1/PROP.HTM. 29 October 2000.
-Helped with theory on pain and gave many good pro-rights evaluations.
Orlans, F. Barbara. In the Name of Science: Issues in Responsible Animal Experimentation. Oxford University Press. New York, New York. 1993.
-Provided the initial history information. Also, gave a few ideas about both pros and cons of rights
Regan, Tom. The Case for Animal Rights. University of California Press. Berkeley, Los Angeles. 1983.
-Since Regan is very pro-rights, his book helped with that part of the paper.
Rodd, Rosemary. Biology, Ethics, and Animals. Oxford University Press. New York, New York. 1990.
-Helped with the ethical aspect of the paper (part b). Also contains values of animals and humans.
Rollin, Bernard E. Animal Rights and Human Morality. Prometheus Books. Buffalo, New York. 1981.
-Contained aspect of the soul and relates theories of Kant (very helpful!)
Smart, J.J.C.; Williams, Bernard. Utilitarianism: for and against. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge. 1973.
-Used to develop strength and weaknesses of mill?s ideas
Smith, Norman K. Immanuel Kant?s Critique of Pure Reason. The Humanities Press. New York, New York. 1933.
-This text was used sparingly to develop Kant?s understanding of reason.
Sorabji, Richard. Animal Minds and Human Morals: The Origins of the Western Debate. Cornell University Press. Ithaca, New York. 1993.
-Goes through and evaluates aspects of humans and compares them to animals.