Whether Harambe Should Have Been Killed or Not Misses a Deeper Point

Following news that Harambe, a gorilla at Cincinnati Zoo, was killed, people have been arguing over whether it was right that she was killed. First, let’s address this question. A human life was in danger and so anybody with any moral sense must see that the child’s life takes precedence. Others have shifted blame onto…

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The Impact of Learning Critical Thinking and Ethics From an Early Age

Critical thinking is a skills-based subject, as opposed to a content-based subject. The majority of what kids learn at school is content-based and little (if anything) is taught about how to think critically. You will have to wait until AS/A Levels until studying critical thinking becomes a subject option and even then only a handful…

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The Moral Case Against Zoos

Blackfish is a documentary which focuses on Tilikum, an orca whale held captive in SeaWorld, who went on to kill three individuals. It looks at the negative consequences (for orcas and humans) of keeping these highly intelligent, emotional and social animals in captivity for their entire life. These orcas would attack each other, as well as…

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Should We Allow Conscientious Objection to Military Taxation?

Conscientious objection to military taxation (COMT) is a principle which says that citizens be entitled to insist that their taxes not be spent for military purposes. COMT is supposed to logically extend from the principle of conscientious objection to conscription, which ensures that citizens can’t be forced to join the military and be in a…

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Pets: The Animal Rights Perspective

From an animal rights perspective, the domestication of any animal can be considered immoral since it involves using them as a means to an end and disregarding their intrinsic value. Gary Francione has underscored the inherent problems of domestication. In his view, the institution of pet ownership is incompatible with any theory of animal rights.…

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