Frequently asked questions – ethics

The author has no ethical objection to eating an animal accidentally killed by a car if this would not encourage future killings.

The author argues that killing animals for food is wrong in principle when survival does not require it.

The author supports democracy and hopes people will eventually decide that causing animal suffering for taste is wrong.

The author distinguishes legal rights from moral obligations owed to a person or animal.

Animal-rights advocates hold different views about the origin of morality; the author shares a personal view.

If humans have rights as animals, where should we draw the line, and why?

The original FAQ describes tool use by chimpanzees and other primates, including how practices spread.

The author argues that our duty to act rightly does not depend on how others behave.

People who cannot make ethical decisions still deserve moral consideration; the original answer extends this reasoning to animals.

The author argues that moral action can be worthwhile even without personal gain.