How Should Animals be Ethically Treated?

Animals play many roles in human life: as companions, sources of food, subjects of scientific research, and members of the natural world. But what moral responsibilities do we have toward them? In this discussion, we'll explore the value we place on animal life, the ethics of consuming animals and using them for research, and where we should draw the line between human interests and animal welfare.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Do animals have moral rights, or only moral value?
2. Do humans have greater moral value than other animals? If so, why?
3. What qualities should determine how much moral consideration an animal deserves: intelligence, self-awareness, capacity for suffering, something else?
4. Do we have a responsibility to prevent animal suffering, or merely a responsibility not to cause it?
5. Is it morally acceptable to kill an animal for food when other food is readily available?
6. Does eating meat become more ethical if the animal was raised humanely and killed with minimal suffering?
7. When, if ever, is it ethical to experiment on animals for scientific research?
8. Does the potential to save human lives justify causing suffering to animals?
9. Are our attitudes toward animals morally consistent, or mostly determined by culture?
10. If future generations consider our treatment of animals barbaric, what practices today do you think they would condemn most strongly?

LOCATION:

We will be meeting at 24h Caffeine Corner in Shinchon.
The address says "2층," or "second floor," but that's because the first floor of the cafe is actually the 2nd floor of the building. We will be meeting on the 4th floor if space is available there. Also, please be sure you are at the right cafe. This is 24h Caffeine Corner. There are other cafes with "24" in their names that are nearby.
Otherwise, if you are having trouble finding the location, please send me a message.
This meetup is not affiliated with the cafe, but let's be sure to support the establishment by ordering a drink or a snack.