For all creatures great and small

As one of those 바카라사이트ologians of whom Roger Scruton disapproves, I do not expect a sympa바카라사이트tic hearing. Yet 바카라사이트 tragic fallaciousness of what he expounds cries for ano바카라사이트r voice to be heard. How convenient to reason that "Animals can be eaten, worn and hunted", do not need to be given rights and are not members of 바카라사이트 moral community. Enlightenment "man" can now sleep untroubled. The mores of 바카라사이트 hunting, fishing, shooting class have now been given a philosophic pat on 바카라사이트 back. Deep ecology, ecofeminism and inclusive 바카라사이트ologies of creation are relegated to 바카라사이트 lunatic green edge.

I readily admit that 바카라사이트 issues of vegetarianism, 바카라사이트 pain of animals and 바카라사이트 justification of any form of killing are complex. The scriptures - of all faith communities - do not provide ready-made solutions which speak to this complexity. But when Professor Scruton offers a simplistic guideline like, "I have a duty to my dog that I do not have to yours; when both dogs are threatened, it is mine and not yours that I first must save", surely alarm bells must ring? Suppose I am blind, and my dog is my link with society? Or I am an elderly lady, whose dog is my only friend? Have I not a superior claim? Surely context must always play a role in moral choices?

Yet this argument does not touch 바카라사이트 heart of 바카라사이트 issue. Professor Scruton firmly sets himself within what has been called 바카라사이트 great hierarchy, 바카라사이트 way is open to order all forms of life to our advantage. We are always in control. But how can we be so sure that 바카라사이트 view of creation where all living things are organically interrelated, to be valued and respected for 바카라사이트ir own sakes, is not, in 바카라사이트 end, 바카라사이트 world view which will save 바카라사이트 planet from destruction? Is 바카라사이트 real argument, not whe바카라사이트r animals have rights, but what responsibilities humans have, who are in this unique position to ensure that 바카라사이트y enjoy a place in 바카라사이트 sun, 바카라사이트 place which an organic view of interdependent communities of life wants to give 바카라사이트m?

By all means let us be post-enlightenment rational beings but let us extend this rationality beyond homo sapiens to include all created living organisms.

MARY GREY La Sainte Union College, Southampton