Relationship between Animals and Humans: Similarities and Differences

Surname 1
Student’s Name
Professor’s Name
Course
Date
Relationship between Animals and Humans
Similarities and Differences
Peter Singer in his article Speciesism and Moral Status compare with Vicki Hearne’s
What’s Wrong with Animal Rights on the theme of the dignity of nonhuman animals. Hearne
talks about the challenge that human rights activists present to pet owners and compares it with
humane movements who propose that pets should not interfere with human happiness. Singer on
the other hand scoffs at the commonly held belief that humans are superior to nonhuman animals
based on cognitive abilities. In jest, he talks about the higher cognitive qualities exhibited by
some animals like dogs, horses and grey parrots that depict higher values of IQ compared to
deranged humans. The two authors talk about animal rights and propose that the contemporary
definitions of animal rights are flawed. Hearne, for instance disagrees with the views represented
by both animal rights activists and humane movements. The animal rights enthusiasts, according
to Hearne, are more preoccupied with avoidance of pain rather than attainment of happiness by
the animals (Hearne 62). The humane movements on the other hand are concerned with human
welfare and condone the killing of animals in order to relieve their suffering. In this regard, the
humane movements are at loggerheads with such professionals like trainers and veterinarians
that concentrate on human happiness.

Surname 2
Singer suggests that the present value for human life and the demeaning of the nonhuman
animals is a show of speciesism and suggests an alternative view rather than cognition. He
disagrees with the religious view that man should have higher respect because of the immortality
of his soul, the command by the creator for man to exercise dominion over nonhumans and the
view that man was created in the image of God, a privilege animals do not enjoy (Singer 571).
While citing the Popes view that all humans are equal regardless of their status in life, Singer
says that the statement connotes that all humans are superior to nonhumans. Furthermore he
disagrees with the proposition that humans have an intrinsic dignity and this forms the parameter
for their superiority. Singer postulates that such thinking has led to the protection of human life
through condemnation of euthanasia and abortion while there is silence regarding the numerous
animals that are killed for food (Singer 577). In this regard, Singer proposes a graduated view of
morality for humans and nonhuman animals.
The two authors have a similar goal which is to change society’s views about the
treatment of animals. Hearne proposes that human rights can only be enjoyed in the context of
relationship and that the pet owner is the only one who can give rights to the animal and thus
assure his happiness. Singer uses more persuasive language and challenges the commonly held
ideas that promote the superiority of man over nonhuman animals. Singer’s language is
provocative and presents alternative views to compel readers to question the basis of society’s
viewpoints on animals.
Critical analysis
He two articles present a challenge to the commonly held ideas about animals in relation
to humans. Singer believes that both animals and humans should be treated using a different