Guidelines for Making Ethical Decisions Regarding Animals

This article discusses the guidelines for making ethical decisions regarding animals. It emphasizes the importance of being aware of first impressions, checking for all relevant facts, considering all positions and their supporting arguments, focusing on substance, not emotion or language, keeping thinking flexible, and expressing judgments precisely and explaining the reasoning which underlines it. The article also highlights the need to avoid generalizations and to base decisions on objective standards of moral binding of society or legal norms. The guidelines are based on the principles of ethical decision-making and can be applied to any situation involving animals.

The inquiry in the first paragraph of Chapter 1, page 2, which asks “Pet the cat or kick it?” is
interesting in today’s world since there are so many organizations and articles about the
prevention of cruelty towards animals.
Presently, there is a belief among the young generation that any decision is based on an
individual’s personal preferences and is subjective, and there is no standardized right or
wrong version to any decision. This is known as moral relativism. However, as it is a known
fact that most decisions are based on the biases and prejudices and never with proper
analysis. The best way to come to an ethical and logical decision is to follow certain basic
guidelines (Armstrong & Botzler, 2017).
Be aware of 1st impressions – What impressions should we be aware of?
In the case of animals, one needs to be more careful about the first impression since they are
not capable of speaking. But is the animal here to harm me or just passing by? So one needs
to be completely aware of the first impression and understand how the mind is inclined and
needs balancing accordingly.
Check for all relevant facts – What are the facts? Research.
In this case, one needs to do a research or ask knowledgeable people around and read various
articles about cats to see whether animals in general will harm or not. The facts regarding this
should be collated to increase the knowledge base and at the same time help one’s self to
take a better informed decision.
Consider all positions and their supporting arguments – What do you think? Why? What do
others think? Why do they think that?

An animal lover obviously insists on petting the cat, whereas a person who is not fond of
animals or have aversion towards them think otherwise. However, the main question is, even
if you don’t like animals, it is alright not to pamper them but is it alright to hurt them or
disrespect their existence? Ethically the answer would be no for an animal lover or by the
objective standards of moral binding of society or legal norms.
Focus on substance, not emotion or language – How could/ are emotions or emotional
language being used to persuade?
While doing research on any subject, the author’s language has the power of positively or
negatively changing the mindset of the reader. At times it is done deliberately to manipulate
and at other times subconsciously since the author firmly believes in that. The challenge
faced by the reader is to avert being led by the language and use one’s conscience to assess
the behaviour.
Keep thinking flexible – What new information could change your mind?
An open mind helps in absorbing new information. Thus, different information about the
species and knowing the pros and cons of the animals can change the mindset. Even if I hear
that there are cats that have bitten and mauled, I would not generalize that all cats would do
that and it shall not change my mind set to hate cats or animals in general.
Express judgements precisely and explain the reasoning which underlines it – Use
accountable talk, what generalizations need to be avoided?

Generalizations about anything or anyone are not the right way of taking a decision. One cat
has bitten someone does not mean that all cat bite. It is illogical. Thus, varied information
about the species would help to make an ethical or unbiased decisions on how to act.
Bibliography
Armstrong, S. J., & Botzler, R. G. (2017). Theories of Animal Ethics. The Animal Ethics
Reader , 13-52.