FinalEssentialResearchQuestion:

Towhatextentisthetreatmentofanimals,globally,morallyjustifiable?

SUBQUESTIONS

Isitrightforscientiststouseandtestliveanimalsforresearchpurposes?

Shouldhumanshavetherighttoconfineanimals?

Whatcompelshumanstohavedominionoveranimals?

Shouldanimalsbeincorporatedintoourmoralconcern?

Canandwillhumansadapttoanewlifestyleinordertoceasethecurrenttreatmentofanimalsin
theworld?

Howcanweeliminatethementalitythathumanshaveajustifieddominionoveranimals?
_____________________________________________________________________________________

HonorsIndependentStudyProjectProposal

Formyindependentstudytopic,Iwanttoresearchthemoraldilemmaofanimalrightsandwhetherornot
animalsshouldbeincorporatedintoourmoralconcern.ThetreatmentofanimalsissomethingthatIam
verypassionateaboutandIwouldliketolookdeeperintothedebateofthemoraltreatmentofthese
magnificentcreatures.Iwouldlovetogathermultipleperspectivesonthisissueandacknowledgeboth
sidesoftheargument.IwouldalsoliketofocusonanimaltreatmentwithintheU.S.specificallyand
compareourcountryseffortstowardsanimalrightstoothers.Overall,Iultimatelywanttoproposea
projectinwhichthefinaloutcomewillbeanargumentthatsupportstherightsofanimalsbyadheringto
ourmoraljustices.

ResearchQuestions:

TowhatextentisthetreatmentofanimalsintheU.S.morallyjustifiable?

InwhatwayshastheU.S.beengloballyinvolvedintheAnimalRightsMovement?

Shouldanimalsbeincorporatedintooursphereofmoralconcern?

Basedonsuccessstoriesfromothercountries,whatlessonscantheU.S.learnfromother
countries?

Whatcompelspeopletolockwildanimalsupforpublicamusement?

Shouldhumanshavetherighttoconfineanimals?

Isitrightforscientiststouseandtestliveanimalsforresearchpurposes?

Myideaforthisindependentprojectwilltieinseamlesslytothethemesofclassthisyear,specificallythe
MoralityandPoliticsofJusticeproject.Myprojectiscenteredaroundthemoralconcernofanimalsand
theirrights,specificallydealingwiththeconcernthatthetreatmentofanimalsinnotonlytheU.S.,but
theworldisnotmorallyjustifiable.IcanapplypreciselywhatIhaveandwilllearnfromthemoraland
justiceproject,andtherestofthesemester,inhumanitiestomyindependentprojectwhichwillflourish
withexpressivenessandpowerfulpersuasiontowardsapproachingthisissueandactingagainstit.

ReadingList

1.FictionNovels

BadElephant,FarStream(SamuelJayHawley)
Thisfictionalnovelfollowsayoungelephant,throughhereyes,assheembarks
onajourneythroughlife.Inspiredbythetruestoryofcircuselephant,Topsy,thestorybeginsin
theforestsofCeyloninthelate1860swiththecaptureofababyelephantknowntoherownkind
asFarStream.SheisshippedtoAmericawheresheperformsintheAdamForepaughCircusin
Philadelphia.Forthenext30years,shetravelsacrossNorthAmerica.Shebecomesknownas
TopsyforherpartinForepaughsfamedelephantdancingquadrille.Sheenduresthehardships
ofconfinement,shewatcheskidnappings,andexperiencesadventure.

WhentheKillingsDone(T.C.Boyle)
ThisnovelissetoffthecoastofCaliforniaontheWildChannelIslands.Alma
BoydTakesueisaNationalParkServicebiologistspearheadingtheeffortstosavetheisland's'
nativecreaturesfrominvasivespecies.However,thereisadisagreementbetweenAlmaandher
antagonist,DaveLaJoy,alocalbusinessmanwhoisopposedtokillinganyanimalsandwilldo
anythingtohavethingsgohisway.Thisfastpacednovelkeepsthereaderonhis/hertoeswith
anticipationasscenesescalatinginviolence,drama,anddanger,
WhentheKilling'sDone
relates
arichlyhumanetaleaboutthedominionweattempttoexert,forbetterorworse,overthenatural
world.

2.NonFictionNovels

AnimalLiberation(PhilosopherPeterSinger,1975)
Sinceitsoriginalreleasein1975,AnimalLiberationhasopenedtheeyesof
millionsofreaderstotherealworldofanimalcruelty,inspiringaworldwidemovementto

eliminatethecrueltreatmentofanimals,theAnimalRightsMovement.Singerargued,
interestsofanimalsshouldbeconsideredbecauseoftheirabilitytoexperiencesufferingandthat
theideaofrightswasnotnecessaryinordertoconsiderthem(Singer).Hisethicalviewson
animalenslavementarevividlyexpressedthroughoutthenovel.Hemakessurethatthe
exploitativetreatmentofanimalsisconveyedtothepublicandusespersuasivetacticstoinstigate
aninspiration.Thenovel,intheend,wasthesparkthatlitthefireanditisapivotalpartofwhat
animalrightsaretoday.

InDefenseofDolphins:TheNewMoralFrontier(ThomasWhite)
Formillionsofyears,therehasbeenintelligentlife.But,theproblemstilllies
thathumansbelievewearetheultimateintelligence,thatnothingcancompareandtherefore
treatinganyanimalthatwethinkisbelowuswithnomoralconcern.Bycombiningaccessible
scienceandphilosophy,wearenowabletosurveythelatestresearchondolphinintelligenceand
socialbehavior,toadvocatefortheirethicaltreatment.Inthisnovel,Whitearguesforthepublic
toreevaluatetherelationshipbetweenhumansanddolphins,arguingforanendtotheinhumane
treatmentofdolphins.Throughoutthenovel,Whitelooksattheseriousquestionsofintelligent
life,ethicaltreatment,andmoralobligation.Thenovelisengagingandthoughtprovoking,
allowingthepublictoquestionsthemoraldilemmaconcerningtheinhumanetreatmentofall
animals.

3.Documentaries

TheCove(July31,2009,USA)
Thecoveexposessomethingsoterrible,itprovokesthoughtsandangeraboutthe
crueltreatmentofanimals,theyarebeingpunishedforsomethingthattheyhavebeentaughtby
nature.TheCoveisadocumentarythatexposestheslaughterofmorethan20,000dolphinsand
porpoisesoffthecoastofJapaneveryyear.Dolphinmeat,containingtoxiclevelsofmercury,is
soldasfoodinJapanandotherpartsofAsia,oftenlabeledaswhalemeat.Theremaining
dolphinsaresoldtodolphinariumsandmarineparksaroundtheworldintoalifetimeofcaptivity.
Thedocumentaryspurredahugereactionandnowhasapetitionagainstthedolphinhuntand
captivity.

BattlefortheElephants(April12,2013,USA)
ThisdocumentaryfollowstheelephantivorytradeasNationalGeographic
uncoversthecriminalnetworkbehindivoryssupplyanddemand.Ittalksabouthowoneofthe
Earthsmostmagnificentspeciesaredeterioratingintoforcesdrivingthevalueofitstusksto

levelsoncereservedforpreciousmetals.SincetheopeningupoftheChinesemarketandthe
growthofitseconomy,ivory,onceapreciousmaterialavailableonlytotherulingelite,has
becomeincreasinglyavailabletothegrowingChinesemiddleclass.Thefilmtracestheivory
tradeanditsimpactonAfricaselephantpopulationoverthecourseofthepasttwocenturies.
JournalistsBryanChristyandAidanHartleytakeviewersundercoverastheyinvestigatethe
criminalnetworkbehindivoryssupplyanddemand.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

EmilyVierling
AshleyCarruth
11thgradeHumanitiesHonors
CriticalReaction#1
TypeofSource:Primary
Title:InDefenseofDolphins:TheNewMoralFrontier
Author:ThomasWhite

Summary

Thisbookarguesalongthelinesthatdolphinsarenotonlyintellectualabilities,butemotionalabilitiesas
wellthatshouldqualifythemforamoralstanding.Becauseoftheseabilities,Whitearguesthat
dolphinsshouldatleastberegardedasnonhumanpersons.Basedonthecurrentinteractionsbetween
humansanddolphins(dolphindeathsduetooverfishingandtheuseofcaptivedolphinsforentertainment
andtherapeuticpurposes,andbythemilitary)areethicallyindefensible.Thisbooklaysdowntheclaim
thatthecurrentrelationshipbetweenhumansanddolphinsisunethicalandthatdolphins,basedontheir
intellectualcapacityandemotionalabilities,shouldbeincorporatedintooursphereofmoralconcern.

CriticalAnalysis

Thisbookopenedmeuptothescenariosinwhichmoralconcernshouldcomeintoplay.Foryearswe
haveobserveddolphinsanddiscoveredtheirspectaculararrayofabilities,mostofwhichbearasimilarity
tohumans.Intellectualcapacityreachesalmosttothesamelevelofthatofahumanandthereisevidence
thatdolphinsretainemotionalabilitiesaswell.

Thereisastoryinthebeginningofthebookthatreallyemphasizesthisemotionalaspectofadolphins
abilities.Itisastoryofablindboywhoentersatherapypoolfordisabledindividuals.Thepoolholds
dolphinswhohaveanexitgatetotheoceansotheyarefreetocomeandgoastheyplease.Adolphin

namedTursiadolphinwhotypicallyhadnointerestinswimmersswamuptotheboyandwhistledto
lethimknowshewasthere.Sheremainedbyhissidetheentireencounter,vocalizingtheentiretime.The
waythatTursiadaptedherbehaviortotheboyssightlessnesswasremarkable.However,perhapsthe
mostinterestingfactisthatTursi,herselfwasblindinoneeye.

Couldthisbeoutofempathyfortheboy?Ifso,theemotionalstatusofadolphinhasexceededmy
expectations.Thisstoryleftamark.Thissortofbehaviorisusuallyonlyconductedbyonewhocan
empathizewiththeindividual,andtoseeanddocumenta
wild
animalthatbeforewasthoughttohave
almostnoemotionalabilities,isaremarkablediscovery.

Therewasareason,however,whytheauthoropenedhisbookthisway.Itisobviousthroughoutthebook
thattheauthorisbiasedbecauseofhisextensivebackgroundinmoralethicsandphilosophiesandthe
countlesspreviousargumentsthathehasmadeinfavorofrightsforcetaceansandotheranimal
populations.Theauthorwastryingtoappealtotheaudienceduringthedurationofthebookbyadding
emotionalstories,sternfacts,andpersonalanalysis.Oneexampleofhisbiasexpressedthroughhis
writingishisanalysisofHumanConsciousness.Hearguesthat
all
humansbelievewehavethemost

advancedintelligenceandabilitiesandthattheseabilitiesmeritusspecialtreatmentormoralstanding.
But,hecounteractsthiswiththeevidencecollectedsupportingthatdolphinshavetheclosestifnotthe
samelevelofintelligenceandconsciousnessasthemirrorexperimentdolphinsweregivenamirrorand
wereabletorecognizeandadmirethemselvesshowed.

AconnectionImadetothisbookisadocumentarycalled
Blackfish
.
Blackfish
focusedmainlyonthe

confinementofwildanimals(specificallyOrcas)andhowitaffectedthempsychologically,mentally,and
emotionally.OneofthemainpointsthatWhitearguesisthatintelligent,emotional,andconscious
creaturesshould
not
beconfinedincagesfortheirentirelifetoservepurposetoentertainmentand

therapycorporationsrehabilitationcentersareconsideredanexception.Inbothofthesesources,itis
madeclearthattherightsofanimalshavebeenseverelyviolated.Theybothtargettheshamefulsideof
humanity,criticizingthehumanracefornotrealizingthattheseanimalsarenthereasanaccessorytous.
Theyarealiving,breathing,creature,
like
us.Noanimalshouldbesubjecttocaptivityorservitudebe
subjecttocrueltreatmentorberemovedfromtheirnaturalenvironment.

Questions

Whatkindofbeingsaredolphins?Inadditiontothescientificresearchthatrevealsadvancedcognitive
skills,whatphilosophicalevidenceistherethatsuggestsdolphinsshouldbegivenrights?

Inlightofthebeingsthattheyare,isthecurrentstateofinteractionbetweendolphinsandhumans
morallyethicallyacceptable?
_____________________________________________________________________________________

EmilyVierling
AshleyCarruth
11thGradeHumanitiesHonors
CriticalReaction#2
Typeofsource:Primary/Secondary(film)
Title:TheCove
Director:LouiePsihoyos

Summary

TheCove
isadocumentarysetinasleepylagoonoffthecoastofTaiji,Japan.Formerdolphintrainer,Ric
OBarry,istheretosetthingsrightafteralongsearchforretribution.Inthe1960s,OBarrywastheone
whocapturedandtrainedthefivedolphinswhichwouldlaterstarasthetitlecharacterinthetelevision
sensation,Flipper.Hiscloserelationswiththesedolphins,however,wouldlaterleadOBarrytoaradical
changeofheart.OBarrysooncametorealizethatkeepingthesedeeplysensitive,highlyintelligentand
selfawarecreaturessobeautifullyadaptedtolifeintheopenoceanincaptivitywasmorallywrongwhich
sparkedamissiontopreventthecaptivityofwilddolphins.ThismissionultimatelybroughthimtoTaiji,
asmalltownwithaverybigsecret.Taiji,ataglance,seemsdevotedtotheplayfuldolphinsandwhales
thatswimofftheircoast.However,inaremotecovesurroundedbybarbedwireandKeepOutsigns,
liesadarkreality.Inthiscove,underthecoverofthenight,fishermanofTaiji,motivatedbya
multibilliondollardolphinentertainmentindustryandanunderhandedmarketfordolphinmeat,engage
inachillinghunt,theirtarget?Dolphins.Thenatureofwhatthesepeoplearedoingishorrifying.Dolphin
meatiscontaminatedwithhighconcentrationsofmercury,meatthatisbeingfedtoconsumersand
unfortunately,themajorityofchildren.Becausethesituationis,viewedbymost,morallywrong,andisa
threattohumanhealth,thesefishermenwillgotogreatlengthstohidethispracticefromsight.Teaming
upwithfilmmakerLouiePsihoyosandtheOceanPreservationSociety,OBarryworkstouncoverthe
truthabouttheactionsthatarereallytakingplaceinthecoveandpresenthisfindingstotheworld.The
purposeofthisdocumentarywastoprovideamotivationtoinspireaglobalrevoltagainstthedolphin
entertainmentindustryandtheunderhandedmarketfordolphinmeat.Theresultisaprovocativemixof
investigativejournalism,ecoadventureandarrestingimagerythataddsuptoanurgentpleaforhope.

CriticalReaction


Thiswasoneofthefilmsthatgivesyouaburningsensationofangerinside.Itservesitspurposetolighta
sparkwithinitsaudience,drivingustodosomethingabouttheseindustriesandhowtheyareaffecting
theseamazingcreatures.Thisfilmmademerealizethatalotofthegeneralpublicisnotawareofthese
undercoverpracticesthatarehappeningrightunderournoses.Itmakesmeconfidentthatifthepublic
wasmademoreaware,somethingcouldbedone.

Obviously,thedirectorandtheteamthatinvestigated
TheCove
werebiasedagainsttheunfairnessthat

thissituationexpressedtowardsdolphinspecies.Thisfilmshowsthatindustriesaretakingadvantageof
thesebeautifulcreaturesandusingthemfor
our
benefit.TheywerebiasedagainsttheJapanese

governmentanddolphinentertainment/undercovermarketfordolphinmeat.OnethingthatIwouldve
likedtoseewouldbetheexplanationsfromthefishermen.Whataretheirstories?Whydotheyfeel
obligatedtocommitthisactofinhumanebehavior?However,Idontthinkthebiasesheldbytheresearch
teamultimatelyaffectedtheirfinaloutcome.Theywereabletoeffectivelygetthemessageoutthatthis
washappeningandthereshouldbesomethingbeingdoneaboutit.

OneconnectionthatIcanmaketothisisthedocumentary,
FoodInc..
Thisrelatesgreatlyto
FoodInc.

becausetheyarebothunveilingsomethingthathadpreviouslybeenhiddenfromthepublic.Bothofthese
filmsalsohavetodosomewhatwiththefoodindustryandhowanimalsaretreatedwithintheindustry.
TheCove
describeshowthousandsofdolphinsareslaughteredandsoldeachyearfortheirmeatwhich
containstoxiclevelsofmercuryandhowthetreatmentofthesedolphinsbeingtakenawayfromthe

oceantobeheldincaptivityismorallyunjust.
FoodInc.
focusesonhowanimalsarebeingtreatedinthe
modernfoodindustry.Thefilmshowsthatanimalsareexposedtocrueltreatmentincludingviolent

abusewithoutpainkillers,diseases,geneticmanipulationthatisspecificallydesignedtomakethem
growfasterandbigger,andmanymoremoralinjustices.Bothofthesecorrelatetotheanimalrightsissue
andgiveacompellingevidencesupportedargumentthatworktoprovideinformationabouttheignored
ethicsintheseindustries.

Questions

Whatcompelshumanstokeepanimalsawayincaptivity?

Ifpeopleknewtherealcostofhavingdolphinmeatsold(mercurypoisoning),howwouldtheiropinions
differonthissubject?

Thelatestwordontheactionstakingplaceinthecoveisthattheyarestilloccurring,whyhaventthere
beenasmanyuprisingsagainstthisaswasexpected?
_____________________________________________________________________________________

EmilyVierling
AshleyCarruth
11thGradeHumanitiesHonors
CriticalReaction#3
TypeofSource:Article
Title:AnimalRights
Author:StevenM.Wise
Link:

http://www.britannica.com/topic/animalrights

Summary

Thisarticletalkedaboutthehistoryofanimalrightphilosophyandhow,formanyyears,thequestionof
incorporatinganimalsintooursphereofmoralconcern.FromAncientGreekandRome,ancient
philosophersarguedoverthepropertreatmentofanimals.Interestinglyenough,manyancient
philosophersbelievedthatanimalsshouldbetreatedwithasmuchrespectasahuman,almostconsider
themasnonhumanpersonsinordertolivebesidethempeacefully.However,astimeprogressed,this
beliefstartedtobackintotheshadows,therightsofanimalsslowlydisappeared.P.A.Fitzgeralds1966
treatise
SalmondonJurisprudence
declared,Thelawismadeformenandallowsnofellowshiporbonds
ofobligationbetweenthemandtheloweranimals.Animalspurelyexisttoservethepurposeofhumans.

Moderndayhascomewithnewaspirations.Animalrightsisnowaprevalentissueinthesociety,
demandingtohavesomethingbedoneabouttheanimaltreatmentmethodsintodayssociety.Ithasbeen
saidthatthemodernanimalrightsmovementisthefirstsocialreformmovementinitiatedby
philosophers.Animalrightsactivistsarguethatanimalsshouldbegivenlegalrightsasitisourmoral
obligationtoincorporatetheirrightsintoourmoralconcern.Themainpurposeofthisarticleistoprovide
contextinwhichtheAnimalRightsMovementoriginatedandhowithasinspiredmillionsofpeopleto
actinthebestinterestofanimals.

CriticalAnalysis

ThisarticlegavemeinformationonthehistoricalcontextinwhichthemoderndayAnimalRights
Movementoriginated.Iwasabletoobserveandpullcontentfromancientphilosophers.Themost

interestingthingthatIlearnedwasthat,originally,philosophersarguedthatanimalsshouldbetreated
withthesameconcernasahuman.Theylivedamongus,sotheyweretreatedequaltous,theywere
respected.Myquestionis,whatchanged?Howcome,insocietytoday,animalsaretreatedaslessthan
equaltohumans?Whatcharacteristicinsocietychangedtohavecausedthisparadigmshiftinanimal
treatment?

Thearticlewillhelpmewhenmakinganargumentthatthemoderntreatmentofanimalsdoesnotmatch
upwiththeancientbeliefs.Manypeoplebelievethatanimalshavealwaysbeenseenastheunderlings,
thattheyhaveneverhad,ornevershouldvebeentreatedasnonhumanpersons,orgivenrights.
However,woulditchangepeople'sopinionsifitbecameapparentthatphilosophersdisagreewith
moderndaymethods?

Meanwhile,thereareincreasingnumbersofsystematicandbrutalabusesofanimalsinmodernsociety.
However,inmodernday,therearegroupsinvolvinganimalrightsactiviststhatworkhardtofightforthe
moraltreatmentofanimals.In1972,ashiftoccurredintheworldofanimalrightswhenPeterSinger
publishedhisbook,AnimalLiberation.Thisbookisconsideredoneofthemodernanimalrights
movementsfoundationaldocuments,arguingthattheinterestsofhumansandtheinterestsofanimals
shouldbegivenequalconsideration.Asautilitarian,Singerholdsthatactionsaremorallyrighttothe
extentthattheymaximizepleasureorminimizepainthekeyconsiderationiswhetherananimalis
sentientandcanthereforesufferpainorexperiencepleasure.ThearticlediscussesalotaboutSinger
andothermoralphilosophersandtheirviewsbeingexpressedonanimalrights.

AconnectionthatImadetothisarticlewasourMoralityandPoliticsofJusticeproject.Throughoutthis
article,itmademanyreferencestomoralphilosophersanditmademequestionwhatsomeofthemoral
philosopherswouldthinkaboutthetreatmentofanimalstoday.

Questions

Whyhavehumansevolvedtorecognizethemselvesasthesuperiority?

Whathappenedtotheoriginalrespectthatanimalsreceived?Wherehasthatgoneintodayssociety?
_____________________________________________________________________________________

EmilyVierling
AshleyCarruth
11thGradeHumanitiesHonors
CriticalReaction#4
TypeofSource:Documentary
Title:BattlefortheElephants
Director:JohnHeminway

Summary

Theyareoneofthemostmagnificentcreaturesontheplanet,yetourloveforthemhasturnedfatal.This
documentaryfollowstheelephantivorytradeasNationalGeographicuncoversthecriminalnetwork
behindivoryssupplyanddemand.IttalksabouthowoneoftheEarthsmostmagnificentspeciesare
deterioratingintoforcesdrivingthevalueofitstuskstolevelsoncereservedforpreciousmetals.Since
theopeningupoftheChinesemarketandthegrowthofitseconomy,ivory,onceapreciousmaterial
availableonlytotherulingelite,hasbecomeincreasinglyavailabletothegrowingChinesemiddleclass.
ThefilmtracestheivorytradeanditsimpactonAfricaselephantpopulationoverthecourseofthepast
twocenturies.JournalistsBryanChristyandAidanHartleytakeviewersundercoverastheyinvestigate
thecriminalnetworkbehindivoryssupplyanddemand.

CriticalAnalysis

ThisfilmbroughttolightthetruthbehindtheIllegalsellingofivoryproducts.Itreallyfocusedonthe
impactsoftheenvironment(people,animals,etc).Thefilmwasappalling,butstillbroughtasenseof
compassionwithit.Itshowedofyoungrangers,theirjobtoprotecttheelephant,thismajesticcreature,
frompoachers.Manyoftheserangersknowtheelephantsbyname,theyarepartoftheirfamily.When
oneistakenaway,theynotice,andnotjusttherangers,buttheelephantsaswell.

Elephantsenjoyarichsociallifeandarehavehighlyintelligentcommunicationcapabilities.Malesbreak
fromthegrouponcetheyreachamatureage,butfemalessticktogetherfortheirentirelives.Whenthey
loseoneoftheirown,oneoftheirfamily,theyexperiencethesamegriefashumans.Theyhavea
wrenchingresponsetolossuponencounteringtheremainsofarelativeandmournfortheirdead.For
elephantsinAfrica,nearlyeveryhumanisanenemy,because
we
bringgrieftotheirlives.

Anotherthingthattheivorytradehasgreatlyimpactedistherelationshiprangershavewiththesemajestic
creatures.Inthedocumentary,rangerswalkaround,tearsintheireyesastheyidentifythecorpsesofthe
elephants,listingthembyname.Formanyoftherangers,theelephantsweretheirfamily,theirescape.


Elephantpopulationshavedroppedawhopping62%over
just
thepastdecadeduetothehighdemandof
illegalivory.Chinahasthebiggestdemandandmanypoacherscantturnanofferdownbecauseofthe

moneyaffiliatedwithit.Rightnow,therearelessthan500,000elephantsleftinAfrica,andthenumberis
continuingtodecline.Whydoweshudderatputtingapriceonahumanslife?So,whydowedecideto
putafatalpriceonthismajestic,gently,andamazingcreature?

InChina,buddhismisgreatlyvalued.Surprisinglyenoughtheelephantrepresentfaithinmanyreligions,
includingbuddhism.Myquestionis,whyrisktheexistenceofananimalthatisconsideredholyfor
personalbenefit?Itsinteresting,thisdocumentaryinspiredmetolookintothehumanpsychologyand
whydotheyhaveafeelingofsuperiority?

Thecraftofivoryhasevolvedaswell.Becauseivoryisinsuchhighdemand,thecraftitselfhasbecome
automatic.Those,usuallyoldermen,thatstillcraftbyhandaremoreappreciativeoftheanimal.
However,whenvisitingalargecorporation,thecraftissuddenlyautomatic.Youngpeoplesittingat
chairschiselingquicklyawayatmagnificenttuskswithaheavypieceofmachinery,noappreciationin
theireye.Theyaresurroundedbyemptychairs,howevertheyarenotemptybecausepeoplehavebeen
firedorquit,theyareemptybecausethesepeoplehaventbeen
hired
yet.Manypeoplewanttodenythe

existenceoftheivorytrade,theywanttodenythatthedemandforivoryissteadilyincreasing.Thisisnot
true.Although,theivorypiecesbeingcreatedarebeautiful,isthecraftofivory,oristhisspeciesmore
valuable?Itsfortheworldtodecide.

Questions

IsthepublicawareoftheextentoftheivorytradeandhowitisaffectingtheelephantsinAfrica?

WhyhasnttheUNorotherinternationalorganizationsapproachedChinatotalkaboutitsivorypolicy?

Whathastobedoneinordertosavetheelephantpopulation?Howdowe
completely
banthesellingof
ivory?

_____________________________________________________________________________________

EmilyVierling
AshleyCarruth
11thGradeHumanitiesHonors
CriticalReaction#5
TypeofSource:Documentary
Title:FoodInc.
Filmmaker:RobertKenner

Summary

RobertKennerlooksintotheUSfoodindustryandshowshowcorporationshavetakenoverallaspectsof
thefoodchainintheUnitedStates,fromthefarmswhereourfoodisgrowntothechainrestaurantsand
supermarketswhereit'ssold.However,alargeportionofthisfilmlooksathowanimalsaretreatedinthe
foodindustry.Thisfilmwasabaseforanimalrightsactivists,andpromotedvegetarianismalloverthe
world.FoodInc.uncoverswhattheindustrydoesntwantyoutoseeasaconsumer,theanimalcruelty,
theethicalquestionofwhethertheanimalstreatmentismorallycorrect?Nowourfoodiscomingfrom
enormousassemblylineswheretheanimalsarebeingabused.AmainpurposeofFoodInc.wasto
uncovertherawtreatmentofanimalsinthefoodindustryandcausedmanypeopletoquestiontheirmoral
integritywhenitcomestofood.

CriticalAnalysis

ObviouslyFoodInc.isadifficultdocumentarytosee.Manymomentswerecringeworthybecausethe
treatmentofanimalsinthefoodindustryissoexplicitinthisfilm.Thisfilmisnotoriousbecauseit
broughttolighttheethicalquestion:Isitmorallyrighttotreatanimals(jackthemuponsteroids,contain
theminsmallquarters,torturethem,etc)withcrueltyinthefoodindustryinordertofulfillthemassive
demandforproductsintheUS?

Ontodaysfactoryfarms,animalsarecrammedbythethousandsintofilthy,windowlessshedsand
stuffedintowirecages,metalcrates,andothertorturousdevices.Theseanimalswillneverraisetheir
families,rootaroundinthesoil,buildnests,ordoanythingthatisnaturalandimportanttothem.Most
wontevenfeelthewarmthofthesunontheirbacksorbreathefreshairuntilthedaytheyreloadedonto
trucksheadedforslaughterhouses.Thefactoryfarmingindustrystrivestomaximizeoutputwhile
minimizingcostsalwaysattheanimalsexpense.

Eversincemasscorporationshavetakenoverthefoodindustry,originallymasssuppliedbyfarmsand
grassfedindustries,thetreatmentofanimalshavegonedownhill.Manypeoplechoosetoignorethe

indicatorsofanimalcrueltyinthefoodindustryinordertopleasetheirappetites.Afterseeingthisfilm,I
couldntcontinuetoeatmeatdistributedbythefoodindustry(Ionlyeatgrassfednow),Idont
understandhowpeoplecanknowaboutthehorribletreatmentofanimalsandstillsupportthefood
industry.

Idothinkthat,basedonthisfilm,thebiggestobstaclethatwehavetoovercomeisthelimitedawareness
inthesociety.FoodInc.wasthefirstlargefilmtounveilthetreatmentofanimalsinthefoodindustry,
however,therehasntbeenafilmthatexplicitlyfocusesontheanimaltreatmentthathasbeenwell
establishedinthepublicsince.AlthoughFoodInc.didfocusabit,theymainlyfocusedonthefood
industryandwhereourfoodcomesfrom,notnecessarilyonthetreatmentoftheanimals.

Again,peopleneedtomakeanethicallyinclineddecision.Weneedtorealizethatwesharetheplanet
withtheseanimals.Eventhoughtheyseemtobeintendedforourmassconsumptionandfoodsource,
theydeservetobeatleasttreatedwithrespect.Thereisnodefensefortreatinganimalscrueltyforthe
benefitofthefoodindustry.Weshouldnotputapriceonananimalstreatment,orthatanimalsquality
oflife.

Questions

Whatinclinespeopletoignorethefactofanimalcrueltyinthefoodindustry?
_____________________________________________________________________________________

EmilyVierling
HonorsHumanities
AshleyCarruth
January18,2015
FinalProjectProposalHonorsHumanities201516

Thefinal
essential
researchquestionthatIbelievemyresearchhasbeenansweringis:

Towhatextentisthetreatmentofanimals,globally,morallyjustifiable?

THESIS

Inthemodernworld,animalssufferaplethoraofinhumanepracticesagainstthem.This,inturn,
createsaworldinwhichhumanspossessanunjustifiabledominion,generatingamentalitythat
whatisbeingpracticedismorallycorrect.

Myfinalprojectwilltaketwoforms:Oneintheformofart,andtheotherintheformofcommunity
awareness.Formyartproject(thiswillbepresentedatthepublicexhibition),Iwillcreateapainting.This
paintingwillrepresentmyresearchandresonatewithmyresearchpaper.Thepaintingwilldepictan
animal(TBD)inisenvironmenthowevertheenvironmentisriggedandinvadedbyhumanscreatingan
inhumaneenvironmenttakingitswildrefuge,itswildbeingandalteringittohumanbenefit,sketchto
beshowninclass.

OnthesideIwanttoalsocreateadocumentary.ThisMarchIwillbetravelingdowntoCostaRicato
workwithanimalsthataresubjecttoconditionscreatedbyhumansandalsowithanimalrightsactivists.
Duringthedurationofmystay,itwouldbeamazingifIcouldputtogetherasmallawareness
campaign/documentarydocumentingmyexperiencethereandwhyweshouldincorporateanimalsinto
oursphereofmoralconcern.IhavealreadytalkedtomyLINKmentorandshewillbeinterviewingalong
withothersfromthereserve.Eventhoughthisfilmwillbeshort,Imhopingthatitwillbeimpactful.I
amcommunicatingwithFortLewisCollegetosetupascreeningwhenIreturn,orifIcouldhavea
screeningatAnimasHighSchoolaswell,thatdbeideal.

Iwillmakesurethatmyprojectclearlystatesmythesisbyoverseeingandmakingsurethateverything
thatIdoconnectsbacktomymainargumentthattheextentofinhumanetreatmenttowardsanimalsis
notmorallyjustifiable.Iwantpeopletohaveaconnectionwithmyprojectandemphasizingmythesisisa
mainpriorityinorderforthattohappen.ThepublicneedstounderstandwhereIamcomingfromandmy
thesiswillexplainthatinbothofmypieces.

MyperspectiveisuniquebecauseIamincorporatingthemoralphilosophyintomyproject.Havingjust
comeoffaprojectthathelpedtoshapemyownmoralphilosophy,Iamabletoseeclearlythatthe
treatmentofanimalsintheworldismorallywrongandthereshouldbesomethingdoneaboutit.Sure,
manyothershaveexpressedconcernandquestionedthetreatmentofanimals,butincorporatingmoral
philosophyandabitofhumanpsychologyintomyfinalprojectmakesforanuniqueperspective.
Formyfinalproject,Iwillintegratemysourcesfrommyresearchthroughquotesandreferences.Itis
importantthatthesesourcesareinmyfinalprojecttheyarethefoundationofmyargument.Many
sourcesthatIusedhavephilosophicalquotesandreferencemorality.Ithinkthat,especiallyinmy
documentary,havingsomeofthemessagesexpressedinthesourcespresentwillleaveanimpactful
messageinmyownproject.

Ianticipatethedocumentarybeingthemostdifficulttorefine.Inordertocatchtheaudiencesattention,I
needthefilmtobeabruptandmeaningful.Themessageneedstostandoutfromtheverybeginning,
Creatingafilmthatleavesanimpressionrequiresthemostrefinement.Ihavetoalterittotheaudience

makingsuretoleaveapeacefulimpression,shapingittotheaudiencesperspective.Ihavetobe
conscientiousthateveryonedoesnotknowasmuchasIdoaboutthistopic,soIwillhavetorefinethe
researchandaddinspecificpointstoshowwhyitistruethatanimalsarenottreatedmorallyjustifiably.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

EmilyVierling
11thGradeHonorsHumanities

SilentPain

Introduction

Theassumptionthatanimalsarewithoutrightsandtheillusionthatourtreatmentofthemhasnomoral
significanceisapositivelyoutrageousexampleofWesterncrudityandbarbarity.Universalcompassion
istheonlyguaranteeofmorality.

ArthurSchopenhauer,TheBasisofMorality

Intheyear1955,anewmovementwasintroducedtotheworld.TheAnimalRightsMovementis
purposedtoseekanendtotherigidmoralandlegaldistinctiondrawnbetweenhumanandnonhuman
animals,anendtothestatusofanimalsasproperty,andanendtotheiruseintheresearch,food,clothing,
andentertainmentindustries.Foryearsbeforethissocialmovementwasintroduced,itwasgenerally
believed,asthenaturalhierarchythatanimalsweretoservehumanpurpose,andnothingmore.In
somecases,thissamementalityexiststoday.Intheeyesofactivists,animalsshouldbetreatedwithas
muchdignity,respect,andmoralityashumansare.Today,theAnimalRightsMovementhasexploded.
Investigativemeasureshavebeentakentofurtherresearchthetreatmentofanimalsinfoodindustries,
research,entertainment,andcountlessothers.However,eventhoughthisinformationhascometolight,it
isthesocietythatstillrefusestotakeactionagainstthecrueltreatmentofanimals.Asananimalrights
activistmyself,withknowledgegainedfromextensiveresearch,Isupporttheactiontoincorporate
animalsintooursphereofmoralconcern.

History

Thementalitythatanimalsareinferiortohumansissomethingthatreachesbackages.Thedocumentation
ofanimalinferiorityanimaltestingcanbefoundinGreekdialectsdatingbacktothe4thand3rdcenturies

BCE,withAristotleandErasistratusamongthefirsttotest
living
animalsforhumanbenefit.Galen,a
physicianin2ndcenturyRome,dissectedpigsandgoatsandputthatresearchtowardsvivisection.

Avenzoar,anArabicphysicianin12thcenturywhoalsopracticeddissection,introducedanimaltestingas
anexperimentalmethodoftestingsurgicalproceduresbeforeapplyingthemtohumanpatients.Thereare
countlessotherexamples,thebullfightsinSpain(entertainment)reachingbackto711AD,dogfights
tracedbackasfarasthe12thCentury,andCockfighting(afightbetweentwogameroosters)rooteddeep
inAmericanhistoryandculture,withmanyofthefoundingfathersbeingfondof(andparticipatingin)
thebloodsport(Hajar).

ModernDay

Therearemorerecentendeavorsofinhumaneanimaltreatment.Theabuseinfarmfactoriesdidnt
emergeuntiltheearly19thcentury,whensmallfamilyfarmsandtraditionalranchingoflivestockstarted
tocaveunderthepressureoflargerinstitutionalfarmingpractices.Asfactoryfarmsbecamethenorm,so,
unfortunatelydidthesystematicandprolongedabuseofanimalsforhumanconsumption.Ontodays
factoryfarms,animalsarecrammedbythethousandsintofilthy,windowlessshedsandstuffedintowire
cages,metalcrates,andothertorturousdevices.Theseanimalswillneverraisetheirfamilies,rootaround
inthesoil,buildnests,ordoanythingthatisnaturalandimportanttothem.Mostwontevenfeelthe
warmthofthesunontheirbacksorbreathefreshairuntilthedaytheyreloadedontotrucksheadedfor
slaughterhouses.Thefactoryfarmingindustrystrivestomaximizeoutputwhileminimizing
costsalwaysattheanimalsexpense(PETA).

Intheentertainmentindustry,animalsarekeptinconfinedcages,trappedfromthewildworldfromwhich
theywererippedapart.Thedocumentary
Blackfish
explicitlyexplainswhatlifeislikeforamagnificent

animaltoliveinahumansworld.Tilikum,anOrcawhowastakenfromhispodwhenhewasajuvenile,
hasbeenlivinginSeaworldforover30years,inaconfinedconcretebox,with
two
otherOrcas.Orcasare
extremelyterritorial,itisintheirwildnature.Whenyouputthreeinaconfinedbox,thereisabuseamong
thethreeofthem,sometimesgreatlyinjuringanOrca,inthiscase,Tilikum.Sincehewasyounger,hewas
thetargetforthetwoolderfemales.

Thereisalsotheinfamousdorsalfin.Byswimmingaroundincircles,Tilikumsdorsalfinnowflopsto
oneside.Boredomovercomesthem.AformerSeaworldTrainercomments,Canyouimaginebeingina
smallconcreteenclosureforyourlifewhenyoureusedtoswimming100milesaday?.Whyshould
thesecreatures,whoaresuggestedtohavenearlythesameintelligenceandemotionalabilitiesashumans,

beconfined?Ofcourse,withallthisemotionaldistressandlimitintheirability,thereisabreakingpoint.
ThisisexactlywhathappenedwhenTilikumkilledawidelyrespectedtrainer,thatwashisbreaking
point.Dontblamethepsychologicallydistraught,blametheindustrythatdroveamagnificentand
beautifulcreaturetoturnintoadamagedanddepressingexampleoftheentertainmentindustryandwhat
itdoestotheseanimals.Theworstpart?SeaworldcontinuestowithholdTilikuminasmallconcrete
enclosure,andshowhim,anemotionallydestroyedOrca,tothepublic.

Allwhalesincaptivityhaveabadlife.Theyreallemotionallydestroyed.Theyreallpsychologically
traumatized.Sotheyretickingtimebombs.
Blackfish

Inthedocumentary
TheCove
,dolphinsaresubjecttotheentertainmenttradeindustryandthefood
industry.Formerdolphintrainer,RicOBarry,istheretosetthingsrightafteralongsearchfor

retribution.Inthe1960s,OBarrywastheonewhocapturedandtrainedthefivedolphinswhowouldlater
starasthetitlecharactersinthetelevisionsensation,Flipper.Hiscloserelationswiththesedolphins,
however,wouldlaterleadOBarrytoaradicalchangeofheart.OBarrysooncametorealizethatkeeping
thesedeeplysensitive,highlyintelligentandselfawarecreaturessobeautifullyadaptedtolifeintheopen
oceanincaptivitywasmorallywrongwhichsparkedamissiontopreventthecaptivityofwilddolphins.
ThismissionultimatelybroughthimtoTaiji,asmalltownwithaverybigsecret.Taiji,ataglance,seems
devotedtotheplayfuldolphinsandwhalesthatswimofftheircoast.However,inaremotecove
surroundedbybarbedwireandKeepOutsigns,liesadarkreality.Inthiscove,underthecoverofthe
night,fishermanofTaiji,motivatedbyamultibilliondollardolphinentertainmentindustryandan
underhandedmarketfordolphinmeat,engageinachillinghunt,theirtarget?Dolphins.Dolphinpodsare
luredintothecove,lateatnight,surroundedbyfishermenandthenslaughtered.Hundredsofthousandsof
dolphinsareslaughteredeveryyear.Thosewhoarentslaughteredandusedforthefoodindustry,usually
juveniles,areplacedintotheentertainmentindustry,andshouldexpectthesamefateasTilikum.This
filmshowsthatindustriesaretakingadvantageofthesebeautifulcreaturesandusingthemfor
our
benefit.

OneofthemosthorrifyingexamplesofanimalnegligenceistheElephantIvoryTradeIndustry.
Elephantsareoneofthemostmagnificentcreaturesontheplanet,yetourcapitalisticloveforthemhas
turnedfatal.Elephantpopulationshavedroppedawhopping62%over
just
thepastdecadeduetothehigh
demandof
now
illegalivory(theivorytradewasntofficiallydeemedillegaluntil1989).Chinahasthe
biggestdemandandmanypoacherscantturnanofferdownbecauseofthemoneyaffiliatedwithit.

Rightnow,therearelessthan500,000elephantsleftinAfrica,andthenumberiscontinuingtodecline.In

tenyearsorless,itisestimated(atthecurrentrateofdecreasingnumbers),thattheelephantspecieswill
beextinct,
extinct.

OneofthemostdepressingrealizationsisthatElephantsareverysocialcreaturesandarehavehighly
intelligentcommunicationcapabilities.Malesbreakfromthegrouponcetheyreachamatureage,but
femalessticktogetherfortheirentirelives.Whentheyloseoneoftheirown,oneoftheirfamily,they
experiencethesamegriefashumans.Theyhaveawrenchingresponsetolossuponencounteringthe
remainsofarelativeandmournfortheirdead.ForelephantsinAfrica,nearlyeveryhumanisanenemy,
because
we
bringgrieftotheirlives.

Inthismoment,thisspeciesexistencehasapricetagonit.OneofthemajorcontributorstotheIvory
Industryistheevolutionofthecraftitself.Becauseivoryisinsuchhighdemand,thecrafthasbecome
automatic.Thosethatstillcraftbyhandaremoreappreciativeoftheanimal.However,whenvisitinga
largecorporation,thecraftissuddenlyautomated.Youngpeoplesittingatchairschiselingquicklyaway
atmagnificenttuskswithaheavypieceofmachinery,noappreciationintheireye.Theyaresurrounded
byemptychairs,howevertheyarenotemptybecausepeoplehavebeenfiredorquit,theyareempty
becausethesepeoplehaventbeen
hired
yet.Manypeoplewanttodenytheexistenceoftheivorytrade,
theywanttodenythatthedemandforivoryissteadilyincreasing.Thisisnottrue.Although,theivory
piecesbeingcreatedarebeautiful,isthecraftofivory,oristhisspeciesmorevaluable?

Manypeopledeclareanimalsshouldnotevenbecomparedtohumansforemotionallyabilityandoverall
intelligence.However,whatifthisstatementwascompromised?Onespecies,alongwithothers,could
debunkamindsetthathasbeenaroundforthousandsofyears.Itisaloving,playful,andhighlyintelligent
creature:adolphin.Thebook,InDefenseofDolphins:TheNewMoralFrontierbyThomasWhite,
uncoveredmultipleinstancesthatsuggesteddolphinshadthesame,ifnotmoreemotionalabilitythana
human.Thereisastoryinthebeginningofthebookthatreallyemphasizesthisemotionalaspectofa
dolphinsabilities.Itisastoryofablindboywhoentersatherapypoolfordisabledindividuals.Thepool
holdsdolphinswhohaveanexitgatetotheoceansotheyarefreetocomeandgoastheyplease.A
dolphinnamedTursionewhotypicallyhadnointerestinswimmersswamuptotheboyandwhistled
tolethimknowshewasthere.Sheremainedbyhissidetheentireencounter,vocalizingtheentiretime.
ThewaythatTursiadaptedherbehaviortotheboyssightlessnesswasremarkable.However,perhapsthe
mostinterestingfactisthatTursi,herselfwasblindinoneeye.

Couldthisbeoutofempathyfortheboy?Ifso,theemotionalstatusofadolphinhasexceededmy
expectations.Thisstoryleftamark.Thissortofbehaviorisusuallyonlyconductedbyonewhocan
empathizewiththeindividual,andtoseeanddocumenta
wild
animalthatbeforewasthoughttohave
almostnoemotionalabilities,isaremarkablediscovery.NottomentiontheDolphinsintellectual

abilities,includingsocialabilitiessuchaspodgameformation,communicativeskills,signaturewhistles,
crossspeciescooperation,andmanyothercreativebehaviors.ThomasWhiteexplainsthat
all
humans
believewehavethemostadvancedintelligenceandabilitiesandthattheseabilitiesmeritusspecial

treatmentormoralstanding.But,hecounteractsthiswiththeevidencesuggestingthatdolphinshave
theclosestifnotthesamelevelofintelligenceandconsciousness,andshouldthereforebetreatedwiththe
samemoralstanding.

MoralConclusion

Ifanimalsarenolongerquiteoutsidethemoralsphere,theyarestillinaspecialsectionneartheouter
rim.Theirinterestsareallowedtocountonlywhentheydonotclashwithhumaninterests.Ifthereisa
clashevenaclashbetweenalifetimeofsufferingforanonhumananimalandthegastronomic
preferenceofahumanbeingtheinterestsofthenonhumanaredisregarded.Themoralattitudesofthe
pastaretoodeeplyembeddedinourthoughtandourpracticestobeupsetbyamerechangeinour
knowledgeofourselvesandofotheranimals.
PeterSinger,AnimalLiberation

Asasociety,wecannotcontinuetoignorethemoralinjusticescommittedonanimals.Whydowe
continuetoholdthemindsetsuchthathumansarethoughttohavemoralstatusandnonhumansdonot?
Animalsarebeingsandifabeingsuffers,therecanbenomoraljustificationforrefusingtotakethat
sufferingintoconsideration.Nomatterwhatthenatureofthebeing,theprincipleofequalityrequiresthat
itssufferingbecountedequallywiththelikesufferingofanyotherbeing(Singer).Wearguethat
humansaresuperiortoanimalsthatwehavetherighttodowiththemwhatweplease,thatthey
shouldntbecomparedonanequalscaleofmoralimportance.Isthismorallyrighttocondemnthese
helplesscreaturestoalifeofdesecrationwhentheyhavedonenothingtodeserveit?

Unfortunately,intodaysworld,mostlivesofnonhumansareimmediatelydisregarded.Allanimalshave
andwillexperiencedagreatinjustice,towhatextentwillweletthisinjusticecontinue?
_____________________________________________________________________________________

IndependentStudyBibliography

BattlefortheElephants
.Dir.JohnHeminway.Perf.JonathanDavis.
PBS
.PBS,12Apr.2013.Web.
04Feb.2016.<
http://www.pbs.org/program/battleelephants/
>.

Boyle,T.Coraghessan.
WhentheKilling'sDone
.NewYork:Viking,2011.Print.

Food,Inc
.Dir.RobertKenner.MovieOne,2008.Documentary.

Hawley,SamuelJay.
BadElephant,FarStream
.N.p.:Conquistador,2013.Print.

Singer,Peter.
AnimalLiberation
.NewYork,NY:NewYorkReviewof,1990.Print.

TheCove
.Dir.LouiePsihoyos.Madman,2009.Documentary.

White,ThomasI.
InDefenseofDolphins:TheNewMoralFrontier
.Malden,MA:Blackwell
Pub.,2007.Print.

Wise,StevenM."AnimalRights."
EncyclopediaBritannicaOnline
.EncyclopediaBritannica,18
June2015.Web.04Feb.2016.<http://www.britannica.com/topic/animalrights>.