Active learning ideas
Eating Animals is a high-stakes topic in Applied Ethics that challenges students' daily habits. They examine the moral status of animals: do they have rights, or are they merely 'resources'? The unit focuses on the application of normative theories to factory farming and meat consumption, with a particular emphasis on Peter Singer's 'Speciesism' and the concept of 'Sentience'.
Activity 01
Based on Peter Singer's work, students debate whether 'species' is a valid moral category or if 'sentience' (the ability to feel pain) is the only thing that should matter for moral consideration.
Do animals have moral rights?
Activity 02
Stations show images/facts about factory farming. Students must write one 'Kantian' response, one 'Utilitarian' response, and one 'Virtue Ethics' response to the data they see.
How does preference utilitarianism approach the suffering of animals?
Activity 03
Students discuss Kant's idea that we only treat animals well so we don't 'get into the habit' of being cruel to humans. They share whether this is a satisfying reason to be kind to animals.
Does Kantian ethics allow for the exploitation of non-rational beings?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Students often think Utilitarians must all be vegans.
While many are, a Utilitarian might argue that 'humane' farming where animals have happy lives and quick deaths is morally acceptable. Active 'pain vs pleasure' mapping helps students see the nuances in different Utilitarian positions.
Students assume Kantian ethics gives animals no protection at all.
Kant argues we have 'indirect duties' to animals. Peer-led analysis of Kant's 'Lectures on Ethics' helps students see that for Kant, being cruel to a dog is a sign of a bad character, even if the dog has no rights.
Methods used in this brief
Stealing and Deception
Students apply normative ethical theories to the issues of stealing and telling lies. They will contrast utilitarian, Kantian, and Aristotelian approaches.
8 methodologies
Simulated Killing
An ethical evaluation of simulated killing in media such as video games and films. Students will debate the moral implications of virtual actions.
8 methodologies