Assuming most animals experience similar emotions in much the same way as humans, why is it okay to inflict pain and suffering only on the less intelligent animals, but not the more intelligent ones?
Does harming them make you uncomfortable because you have an easier time relating to them? Or is it because they are possibly intelligent enough to blame humans for what we've been doing to them, and that makes you uncomfortable?
Either way, intelligence can't be bar to use, because that argument would exclude mentally retarded humans from enjoying human rights as well.
That may sound harsh, but I strongly believe humanity should stop and think on the why for a moment.
Are we doing something because it is right, because the alternative makes us feel bad, or because doing so will make us look better? The first motivation is altruistic, the other is egoistic, and the last egotistic. Do all three align in this case? What about other examples?
I imagine even reflecting on one's own motivations will be uncomfortable to some. It certainly was to me.
Edit: Also I don't believe any of these motivations are inherently bad, but often one is dishonest about which one it really is.
Does harming them make you uncomfortable because you have an easier time relating to them? Or is it because they are possibly intelligent enough to blame humans for what we've been doing to them, and that makes you uncomfortable?
Either way, intelligence can't be bar to use, because that argument would exclude mentally retarded humans from enjoying human rights as well.
That may sound harsh, but I strongly believe humanity should stop and think on the why for a moment.
Are we doing something because it is right, because the alternative makes us feel bad, or because doing so will make us look better? The first motivation is altruistic, the other is egoistic, and the last egotistic. Do all three align in this case? What about other examples?
I imagine even reflecting on one's own motivations will be uncomfortable to some. It certainly was to me.
Edit: Also I don't believe any of these motivations are inherently bad, but often one is dishonest about which one it really is.