If you think our moral concern should follow intelligence then it follows that chimps and the mentally handicapped are not morally equal to humans of normal intelligence. Depending how much differing intelligence results in differing moral consideration this could justify chimp and mentally handicapped testing.
But while some level of intelligence does seem to be necessary for an animal to suffer in a way we find morally compelling it does not follow that abusing the slightly less intelligent is at all justified. It is not at all obvious that the mentally handicapped or chimpanzees suffer less than humans of normal intelligence. Nor is it obvious mentally handicapped humans and chimpanzees don’t differ in this regard. But intelligence is almost certainly not the same thing as moral value. There are possibly entities that are very intelligent but for which we would have little moral regard.
Right, that makes sense. I guess if something can suffer and notice it’s suffering and wish it weren’t suffering then it should be as morally valuable as a person...maybe.
But while some level of intelligence does seem to be necessary for an animal to suffer in a way we find morally compelling it does not follow that abusing the slightly less intelligent is at all justified.
I think dogs are “capable of suffering in a way I find morally compelling” though, and I would sacrifice probably a lot of dogs to save myself or another human. Is that just me being heartless?
There are possibly entities that are very intelligent but for which we would have little moral regard.
I mentioned that the hypothetical aliens would have brains that work just like ours, not that they would be just as intelligent.
Your method should be to figure out what it is about humans that makes them morally valuable to you and then see if those traits are found in the same degree elsewhere.
If you think our moral concern should follow intelligence then it follows that chimps and the mentally handicapped are not morally equal to humans of normal intelligence. Depending how much differing intelligence results in differing moral consideration this could justify chimp and mentally handicapped testing.
But while some level of intelligence does seem to be necessary for an animal to suffer in a way we find morally compelling it does not follow that abusing the slightly less intelligent is at all justified. It is not at all obvious that the mentally handicapped or chimpanzees suffer less than humans of normal intelligence. Nor is it obvious mentally handicapped humans and chimpanzees don’t differ in this regard. But intelligence is almost certainly not the same thing as moral value. There are possibly entities that are very intelligent but for which we would have little moral regard.
Right, that makes sense. I guess if something can suffer and notice it’s suffering and wish it weren’t suffering then it should be as morally valuable as a person...maybe.
I think dogs are “capable of suffering in a way I find morally compelling” though, and I would sacrifice probably a lot of dogs to save myself or another human. Is that just me being heartless?
I mentioned that the hypothetical aliens would have brains that work just like ours, not that they would be just as intelligent.
Your method should be to figure out what it is about humans that makes them morally valuable to you and then see if those traits are found in the same degree elsewhere.
I agree.