06.26.08
Apes Morally Equivalent to Humans?
Apparently the Spanish government may think so. The government of Spain is close to ratifying a measure that apparently will give rights to apes formerly reserved only for humans. I have two thoughts on this. The first is that while I’m all for measures to prevent torture of any kind–anyone who finds joy in torture where the pain and suffering of some other creature is the only end is deeply disturbed and should be dealt with (though I’ll admit I’m not prepared to answer how)–I fear the result of this measure will do less to increase the value of apes and do more to devalue human life.
Second, I’ve held that the theory of evolution ought to have an impact on our ethics. I’m setting aside here whether that impact will be for the positive or negative. I’m claiming only that it ought to influence the way we do our ethics. When I’ve mentioned this to colleagues, I’ve been resoundly rebuffed time after time. “Evolution says nothing about how we ought to behave” is the claim. I strongly disagree. This move tends to support the position that, like it or not, belief in evolution does in fact impact the way we think about the ethics of ourselves and other biological life forms.
Parliament’s environmental committee approved resolutions urging Spain to comply with the Great Apes Project, devised by scientists and philosophers who say our closest genetic relatives deserve rights hitherto limited to humans.
Julian said,
June 26, 2008 at 11:10 am
I enjoyed your piece and cited it in a story at nowpublic.com. Check it out — http://www.nowpublic.com/environment/spain-approves-human-rights-apes — and feel free to comment.
Best wishes,
Julian
Nick said,
July 3, 2008 at 9:41 am
But when will they be allowed to vote? Thats what I want to know.