PHIL 111 Lecture : PHIL111 13/14 WEEK 13.docx

• School: Queen's University
• Department: Philosophy
• Course: PHIL 111
• Professor: Jon Miller

Document Summary

Is it okay to experiment on non-human animals: no. Animals don"t have a choice: yes. Is it okay to experiment on non-human animals: there are many ways to sharpen the question. Is it okay to experiment on primates: we"ll look at the case for thinking it is. Descartes held there are two kinds of substances: thinking substance. Responsible for all mental life: thoughts, wishes, pains, pleasures, emotions, feelings, etc, extended substance. Inert matter; things that take up space; material things. Humans are unique in that we instantiate both substances. When a dog with a broken paw whimpers, it is not really in pain. It cannot be, because it does not have a mind. Instead, its physiology is leading it to mimic the behaviour of one in pain: because animals don"t experience real pain or pleasure, it"s okay to experiment on them.