Liditza Saldana

Environmental Ethics
Critical Paper 1 Research
According to Singer, the consequentialist view considers good or bad to be more
significant than the moral obligation of right or wrong. This means that the consequentialist view
determines actions by whether the consequence will be good or bad. Essentially this ethical
theory proposes that a person should do whatever will produce the most pleasure over pain. He
further argues that this should be applied to any sentient being equally. He argues that to
exclude any being that experiences pain from these ethical practices would be discrimination as
bad as racism or sexism. Using this theory would mean that certain practices such as whaling
are okay. This is because the joy experienced by humans from whaling would surpass the pain
experienced by non-human animals.
According to the deontological perspective actions should be made upon the basis of
whether their consequences are good or bad. According to this view there are specific rules that
should be followed regardless of consequences. For example animal rights should be applied to
animals that have inherent value. This includes not causing harm to animals, including hunting
and experimentation. Animals that meet the criterion for ethical practice are those which have
consciousness.
Paul Taylor extends this definition to any organism that has their own accomplishments
whether they be conscious or not. This can be called biocentrism. He argues that each being,
animal, human, plant etc. has a life of its own that can be harmed and all beings with a life have
equal value. He further states that mistreating or the neglectful care for these beings is immoral.