What's right and wrong (part 2)
This story about the people in the new institution has a twist.
The new institution is in fact Amsterdam zoo, and the observer is Frans de Waal in his book "Chimpanzee Politics". Yes, the people are chimpanzees. Professor Peter Singer (who wrote the story) considers it justified to call them "people" because philosophers have for centuries defined a "person" as a rational and self-conscious individual, regardless of species. The behaviour of the chimpanzees shows that they are rational and self-conscious.
6) Do you think it would be right to do the stress experiment now that you know the people are chimpanzees? Why or why not?
7) Would it be right to do the heart transplant now that you know the people are chimpanzees? Why or why not?
8) How has finding out that the people are chimpanzees influenced your opinions? Why do you think this is the case?
9) How would your opinion be influenced if the "people" were dogs or rabbits or mice? Explain.
The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights begins:
"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights".
The Great Ape project wishes to extend this idea of equal rights to all great apes, that is chimpanzees, gorillas and orang-utans. The group has drafted a Declaration on Great Apes, which says lists basic rights great apes should have as:
- The right to life. No-one may be killed, except in exceptional circumstances, such as self-defence.
- Protection of individual liberty. No-one may be imprisoned except after due legal process.
- Prohibition of torture. No-one may deliberately inflict pain, regardless of whether it is supposed to be for the benefit of others or not.
10) Do you agree with these basic rights for the great apes? Explain why or why not.
11) If these basic rights were accepted, how would it affect the treatment of great apes, for example, in laboratories, zoos or the pet trade?
For more information, see the web site of the Great Ape Project .