Do not quote other sources — either within the course or from without — back to me. Put matters in your own words. Evidence that work has been appropriated directly from elsewhere will resign in a zero on the assignment, and in some cases a failing grade in the class. Know, too, that while I am interested in your views here, they should be views informed by the reading.
On New Year’s Day, space aliens arrive on earth. After observing our treatment of cattle and fowl, they proceed to round up the human population and keep us in massive pens. Some humans they use for unspeakable medical experiments; others, the aliens eat for lunch. When we object, claiming that we have a right to life and strong moral standing, the aliens — who are far more intelligent than we are — point to our treatment of animals and insist they are behaving exactly as we do: by making use of an inferior species.
Are the aliens right in their treatment of us? Or are they wrong? If they are wrong, does this imply that our treatment of animals is also wrong? What property or set of properties does an entity need before it has moral standing?
First, explain how Kant would answer these questions, making sure to detail why he would reply as you say he would.
Next, discuss Singer’s principle of the equal consideration of interests, his argument from marginal cases, and his critique of speciesism, and talk about how Singer would respond.
Finally, discuss how Steinbock would reply and explain her reasoning.
Who makes the best case in the end? Why? Elaborate at length.
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