Should we have the right to kill animals?

  • Thread starter Sassenav22
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In summary, the conversation discusses the topic of whether humans have the right to kill animals just because they don't like them. The participants share their opinions on the matter, with some arguing that humans have the right to kill animals for various reasons such as food or protection, while others believe that unnecessary killing is not justified. The concept of animal rights is also brought up, with one participant mentioning a book that explores this topic. Ultimately, the conversation concludes that the definition of "animal" and the reasons for killing them play a significant role in determining whether humans have the right to do so.
  • #1
Sassenav22
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My teacher asked me an interesting question.

Do we as human have the right to kill animals just because we don't like them?


what do you think?
 
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  • #2
'Rights' are a human concept. People have them only because some of our governments say so. I don't personally believe in unnecessary killing, such as trophy hunting, but it's not my place to say whether or not someone else can. Without societal interference, someone can do absolutely whatever s/he wants to.
 
  • #3
note: moved to Philosophy from Biology forum.
 
  • #4
Well ... we have the 'right' to protect them as well.
Depends on the individual's opinion.
 
  • #5
Why do you say we don't like them? I certainly enjoy a good steak!
 
  • #6
Sassenav22 said:
My teacher asked me an interesting question.

Do we as human have the right to kill animals just because we don't like them?what do you think?

The thing is, the great majority of humans just don't do this. There are a great number of reasons for killing animals (for food, disease control, because they are nuisances, etc), but "just because we don't like them" is not one that is seen very often. Even a psychopath who kills and tortures animals might have reasons other than hatred of them, such as the pleasure derived from power over something weaker.

The most common examples I can bring to mind of humans killing animals "just because they don't like them" are instances of humans killing other humans. Bigotry and homophobia come to mind. But scratch the surface and you might find even deeper reasons (however illogical) that are the rationale for this violence. You can think over for yourself all the reasons someone of a particular race, sexual orientation, [insert group membership here] might be perceived as a threat by someone who is not a member of that group.

I am reading an interesting book right now on "animal rights and human morality" by Bernard Rollin. If you want to dig into that topic, it is an excellent and clear read. What he argues regarding animal rights is that the single, logically defensable right that they have is to be "objects of moral concern" by those capable of making moral decisions. In other words, they have the right for some careful thought and decision about their treatment and should not be cavalierly used as "means to an end" to suit our purposes.
 
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  • #7
Well, that all depends upon your definition of "animal". Is an insect an animal? If not, then yes you have the "right" to kill them. Killing pretty much anything else will get you thrown in jail for cruelty... even your own dog if the right people find out about it. As far as hunting goes, you can buy the right to kill CERTAIN animals by buying a license. This is mostly for sport and food, though.
 

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