Kant's Rational Capacity
The moral worth of animals and non-person humans, as per Immanuel Kant’s differentiation of regular, rational humans with those who have mental “incapacities,” has been a long debate in ethics. If we were able to prove that animals and non-person humans have rational capacity, although different compared to persons, then these non-person beings might be given moral rights.
Since humans usually use the supposedly unique rational capacity to justify their dominion over the other beings, then proving the rationality of non-person humans and animals could result to gaining basic respect for them from the moral community. This respect could include respecting the animals’ situations and letting them live in their own habitat instead of humans
feeling that they have every right to uproot a wild animal and cage them in a zoo.
Ludwig Wittgenstein could be regarded as one of the most influential twentieth century philosopher, and his work could help solve a philosophical dilemma that existed even before his time. Wittgenstein’s aspect perception will be used in order to provide evidences of animal and non-person human rational capacity, thus giving them more rights to live a life for their own sake, and not just a means to an end.
Animals and non-persons, as per Immanuel Kant and Peter Singer’s use of the term, have moral worth. Humans usually use their unique rational capacity in order to prove their superiority over the other living beings, thus giving them more rights compared to the others. This paper will try to prove the moral worth of animals and non-person humans using Ludwig Wittgenstein’s works.
First, Wittgenstein’s aspect perception can be used in order to give evidence of animal consciousness. For this paper’s sake, we shall define consciousness as the state wherein the being is aware that he or she exists thus making him aware of his surroundings. Aspect perception tells us that when we “see as,” although it does not involve active thinking, there is still recognition involved – wherein data will provide stimulus and the attitude towards that data proves the existence of one’s mental state. Therefore, if a being experiences aspect perception, the evidence of a mental state cannot be denied.
Since humans usually use the supposedly unique rational capacity to justify their dominion over the other beings, then proving the rationality of non-person humans and animals could result to gaining basic respect for them from the moral community. This respect could include respecting the animals’ situations and letting them live in their own habitat instead of humans
feeling that they have every right to uproot a wild animal and cage them in a zoo.
Ludwig Wittgenstein could be regarded as one of the most influential twentieth century philosopher, and his work could help solve a philosophical dilemma that existed even before his time. Wittgenstein’s aspect perception will be used in order to provide evidences of animal and non-person human rational capacity, thus giving them more rights to live a life for their own sake, and not just a means to an end.
Animals and non-persons, as per Immanuel Kant and Peter Singer’s use of the term, have moral worth. Humans usually use their unique rational capacity in order to prove their superiority over the other living beings, thus giving them more rights compared to the others. This paper will try to prove the moral worth of animals and non-person humans using Ludwig Wittgenstein’s works.
First, Wittgenstein’s aspect perception can be used in order to give evidence of animal consciousness. For this paper’s sake, we shall define consciousness as the state wherein the being is aware that he or she exists thus making him aware of his surroundings. Aspect perception tells us that when we “see as,” although it does not involve active thinking, there is still recognition involved – wherein data will provide stimulus and the attitude towards that data proves the existence of one’s mental state. Therefore, if a being experiences aspect perception, the evidence of a mental state cannot be denied.