Ok so I need help getting started on my essay. The topic: "Where do animals belong in the moral community? Should animals be seen as only having instrumental worth to humans, or do animals have some intrinsic worth? Should they be given any rights? Is it speciesist to give preferential treatment to humans over non-human animals?"
My thoughts on this:
Animals don't belong in the moral community, as they don't have morals, but act purely on instinct. But they DO belong in the human community. A common-sense approach is to recognize that there are compelling reasons to use animals for medical research and other purposes, and at the same time to affirm our obligation to treat animals with respect and compassion. I believe that animals have both instrumental worth AND intrinsic worth, but it depends on the animal/species. For example, livestock has instrumental worth because they serve a purpose. But bears, wolves, domesticated animals, wild animals, etc have intrinsic worth. They are their OWN being and don't belong to anybody (except the domesticated animals).
If I could just get some help started with this paper, that would be GREATLY appreciated! I think I have some ideas for the bodies of my essay but I just need help getting started, and a good thesis.
Thesis: While it can be argued that animals are a part of the human community, they are not part of the moral community.
Is this thesis I came up with ok, or can it be corrected anymore? Please help me for I have to get a good grade on this paper!
The only thing I'd change is to emphasize your thesis -- such as:
Animals are not part of the moral community, although they are part of the human community.
Ok.
Now, I've never really written an essay before. And I was never taught (high school was a joke). So I'm not sure how to get started with this. And when I looked up on google and other sites how to do this, I was still confused. Any advice?
This site should get you started.
http://members.tripod.com/~lklivingston/essay/
http://www.angelfire.com/wi/writingprocess/
This site is really good in helping you learn the steps in the writing process. People who skip steps usually end up with papers that are badly organized or not organized at all.
http://esl.about.com/cs/writing/ht/ht_essay.htm
This is really good, too, in setting up the steps for you. It was originally written for use in ESL classes, but the information is so good, I use it with all students who need this help.
http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/catalogue.html
This site has links to various aspects of writing essays, including grammar and usage.
THANK YOU!! SO MUCH!!!! :) :) :)
Oh and how about the thesis being:
While animals lack of cognition denies them acceptance to humanities moral sphere, their status as living creatures prevent us from treating them in a completely unjust manor.
http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/thesistatement.html
Check out the poor and redone thesis statements on that webpage. Compare yours with the six examples and then the rewritten statements.
Let us know how you revise this.
ok. how about...
while society does not view animals as having cognition, therefore placing them outside the moral community, they still do belong and are involved with the human community.
Your thesis is a good starting point, but it can be refined to provide a stronger focus for your essay. Here's a potential revised thesis statement:
"Although animals may not possess human-like morals due to their reliance on instinct, they deserve to be considered as inherent beings with intrinsic worth, as opposed to mere instruments for human exploitation. This poses important ethical questions regarding the extent of their rights and the potential pitfalls of speciesism."
This revised thesis statement highlights the two primary aspects of your topic: the recognition of animals as beings with intrinsic worth and the discussion of their rights. It also introduces the concept of speciesism, which is relevant to your exploration of moral considerations between humans and non-human animals.
Now, let's start structuring your essay:
1. Introduction:
Begin your essay with a brief introduction that presents the topic and provides context for the discussion. You can start with a general statement about the relationship between humans and animals and gradually narrow it down to the specific questions you will address in your essay. Finally, conclude your introduction with your revised thesis statement.
2. The instrumental worth of animals:
In this section, you can explore the ways in which animals are seen as having instrumental worth to humans. Provide examples of how animals are used for purposes such as medical research, agriculture, and companionship. Discuss the practical benefits humans gain from such relationships and acknowledge the reasons behind the instrumental view of animals.
3. The intrinsic worth of animals:
Shift the focus in this section to argue for the intrinsic worth of animals. Explain how some animals possess qualities and characteristics that go beyond their utility to humans. Dive into the richness and complexity of non-human animals' lives, highlighting their ability to experience emotions, form social bonds, and display cognitive abilities. Explore how these qualities challenge the notion that animals are solely instrumental beings.
4. Animal rights:
In this section, address the question of whether animals should be granted certain rights. Discuss different philosophical perspectives, such as animal welfare and animal rights theories, and explain how these arguments influence the debate. Explore controversial topics like factory farming, animal testing, and the treatment of wildlife to illustrate the need for ethical considerations and the potential implications of granting animals rights.
5. Speciesism and its implications:
Introduce the concept of speciesism as the preferential treatment of humans over non-human animals and examine its impact on our view of animals. Discuss the biases and potential moral inconsistencies that arise from speciesist beliefs. Consider arguments against speciesism and explore the idea of extending moral consideration to non-human animals.
6. Conclusion:
Summarize the main points of your essay, restating your thesis and summarizing the arguments you have presented. Conclude by encouraging further reflection on the moral status of animals and emphasizing the importance of recognizing and respecting their intrinsic worth.
Remember to support each of your arguments with evidence, examples, and counterarguments where relevant. Additionally, make sure to establish smooth transitions between paragraphs and maintain a clear and logical flow of ideas throughout your essay.
Good luck with your paper!