Ethical Approaches
Ethical Approaches
Deontological Approach
- This approach focuses on the duty or obligation towards animals, considering the rights of the animals as paramount.
- Rules are put in place to protect animals from harm, regardless of the potential benefits.
- Examples include: not using animals for testing cosmetics because it harms the animals, not keeping animals in zoos because it infringes on their freedom, etc.
Utilitarian Approach
- This is a more flexible approach, arguing that an ethical choice is one that maximises overall happiness or pleasure.
- It involves weighing the potential benefits against the harm caused to the animals.
- For instance, using animals for medical research to find a cure for a disease might be considered ethical if the cure could save many human lives.
- Note that the welfare of the animals still matters here; cruelty without good reason is not okay.
Virtue Ethics Approach
- This is not about rules or results but focuses on the character and intentions of the person involved.
- High importance is placed on compassion, empathy and respect for animals.
- Avoidance of cruelty would be a virtue, as would kindness to animals, and respecting animals' natural behaviours.
Care Ethics Approach
- This approach emphasises relationships and care for others, including animals.
- It's about responding with compassion to the needs of those who are vulnerable.
- One might choose to adopt a rescue pet, for example, and make choices to optimise their life quality.
Ecocentric and Biocentric Ethics Approaches
- These approaches consider the impacts not only on individual animals but also on ecosystems and species.
- Ecocentric ethics stress the importance of all parts of an ecosystem - including non-living things like rivers and mountains.
- Biocentric ethics, on the other hand, argue that all living things have inherent value and should be respected.
- These approaches might support, say, reintroducing a predator species to a national park to restore balance to the ecosystem, even if individual prey animals could be hurt.
Keep in mind that there are often trade-offs and compromises to be made between these different ethical approaches when it comes to real-world animal management scenarios. As such, critical thinking and empathy are fundamental skills for those working with animals.