Discussion 1

Singer argues that there is no moral justification for denying moral consideration to animals. Can you think of a good moral reason why our moral consideration should include all humans, even those without the ability to reason yet denied to all non-human animals (some of whom have that ability)? What response might he have to your way of drawing the line between the types of beings that should get moral consideration and those that should not?

Length: 400 words.

Discussion 2

Using at least one quote from chapter six of Understanding Philosophy(ATTACHED), describe the core principle of utilitarianism and discuss the problem of the "tyranny of the majority." Find a real example of a current or past social practice, (or create your own fictional example) that illustrates this problem. Complete your post by evaluating whether the overall good generated by the practice outweighs the suffering caused by the practice.