All Species Are Equal By: Adrienne Moreno

Paul Taylor’s Thesis

• From the four core beliefs of the biocentric outlook, Taylor concludes that “rejecting the notion of human superiority entails its positive counterpart: the doctrine of species impartiality. One who accepts that doctrine regards all living things as possessing inherent worth- the same inherent worth, since no one species has been shown to be either higher or lower than any other”

Are All Species Equal?

• According to Paul Taylor, anthropocentrism “gives either exclusive or primary consideration to human interests above the good of other species

What Is the Opposite?

• Biocentrism- the view or belief that the rights and needs of humans are not more important than those of other living things.

Species Egalitarianism

• Species egalitarianism is the view that all species have equal moral standing.

• Moral standing at a minimum is to have respect for all things. To be something more than a mere thing

Species Egalitarianism

• A- The belief that humans are members of the Earth’s Community of life in the same sense and on the same terms in which other living things are members of that community • B- The belief that the human species, along with all other species, are integral elements in a system of interdependence • C- The belief that all organisms are teleological centres of life in the sense that each is a unique individual pursuing its own good in its own way • D- The belief that humans are not inherently superior to other living beings

Two Responses

• • • First The first response is to accept the belief of humans are not inherent to living things but reject Taylor’s conclusion.

Instead of humans being superior they view them as being inferior. More realistically they view human life as noncomparable.

• Second The second response rejects the fourth core belief and says that human are superior but us being superior is irrelevant because the fact remains that within the web of ecological interdependence, it would be a mistake to ignore the needs of other species.

Taylor’s Critics

• • • William C. French perceives a contradiction between the egalitarian principles of Taylor. Taylor is one of the most tenacious egalitarians yet he allows the human needs to override the needs of non humans.

William questions what right Taylor has to say that we are all equal.

He questions what right does he have to say, that in cases of conflict, nonhuman needs can legitimately be sacrificed to vital human interests?