Reader: I love the site. I have a question. I am taking a philosophy class and the topic is animal’s rights. I was wondering if there is a way to prove that animals do not have rights, without using the Torah or G-d in the proof.
Thank you, Rafi.
Mesora: You must first define the term “rights”. “Rights” means “objective rules". The question: who possesses the authority to mandate such rights on mankind? It cannot be man, as one man will oppose the rules of the other, thus, no objectivity. More primarily, that which imposes demands on man, cannot itself be man. Additionally, that which created the animal possesses the exclusive rights and rules governing animals, and this is G-d. So no, you cannot answer this, or any other area of objective laws, rights, morals, etc., without referral to G-d’s words. As He is the sole cause of all existence, He remains to sole authority in all areas.
Reader: I am a student in a philosophy class. I was wondering what the
best objection to this argument involving animals having rights is. Here is the
argument. Thank you!
1. If having the capacity for reason is necessary for having rights, then
certain humans (infants, individuals with cognitive defects etc.) do not have
rights.
2. But it is false that such humans fail to have rights.
3. Therefore, it is false that having the capacity for reason is necessary for
having rights.
Mesora: The error in this argument is that ‘possession of reason’ guarantees rights to the possessor. But as we stated above, “rights” stem from G-d’s words, the Creator of mankind, and He demands that even children must be treated as Torah laws specify. Thereby, your two following positions are refuted, as they are based on the error in number 1.