Animal Rights

Vicki Hearne and Peter Singer view animal rights in two distinct lights.

Hearne’s definition equations: 

Animal Rights= Illogical

Animal Happiness= Conforming to expected behaviors

Pleasure and Suffering=Irrelevant

Mother Nature= Brutal life

Hypocrisy= against animal cruelty, but ignorant of mother nature

Captivity= good for animal welfare

Owner= Ultimate power holder

Owner+ happiness+ no hypocrisy + “captivity” =Good Animal life

Singer’s definition equations:

Animals=Humans

Animal Rights =Human Rights (including unalienable rights)

Animal Testing= Unethical torture= Animal Death

Speciaism=Inequality of all walks of life

Vegetarians= Wonderful

Omnivores= Animal cruelty

Euthanasia= Unnecessary Torture= Human Euthanasia

Vegetarians+ No Euthanasia+ Animal Rights+ No animal testing= Good Animal life

                

          Vicki Herane and Peter Singer both possess radical views on animal rights. Hearne believes that animals are emotionless pieces of property, whereas Singer believes that animals are the equivalent to humans. I take a moderate stance on this issue. I agree with Hearne that animals are not up to par with humans. Humans do have higher cognitive abilities. But that does not mean that we can treat animals however we like. In that respect, I agree with Singer that Animal testing and euthanasia are just socially acceptable forms of animal cruelty. Humans do not need to kill animals in order to advance the human race. And I do understand Singer’s point that euthanasia is unethical because by “taking the animal out of its suffering” is plainly killing the animal without its consent. Since these two issues are typically taboo issues, we should first limit simpler forms of cruelty; factory farming, puppy mills, and dog fighting. 

The Power of Imagery

          Humans are not as rational as we wish they could be. Just as the NPR clip states, “people use utilitarian, cost-benefit calculations sometimes. But other times, they make an emotional decision”. It seems as though being rational and being emotional are mutually exclusive. This is great for people who want to produce effective rhetoric and want to change the ideology of their audience. Even though acting purely on emotions is normal, it is not advised.

          Logic tends to be harsh. In the NPR situation, by pushing one innocent person to his death, you could easily save five innocent people from death. Even though the participant given the scenario may believe that five lives is worth more than one life, when the participant materializes the idea of killing one person to save others, they feel pain. This mentality is held by several people. If a person hears that a bomb blast has occurred, they will be upset with the current situation but will move on. Because they are not directly impacted by the situation, they would be able to able to think rationally and take the appropriate actions. If the same person saw a bomb blast occur, they would be directly affected. Most people may be stricken by fear or sheer shock. Therefore, these individuals would be unable to think clearly. For this reason, doctors cannot operate on other family members as their emotions may cloud their judgment. Thus, imagery has a great emotional impact on a person. Their emotions can easily decrease their rationality.

Imagery is aimed at being powerful. And with certain images it is important that people respond in a certain way. It is natural for people to respond to a gruesome event by being shocked or traumatized. But if people did not react that way, society would think they lacked empathy. To a certain extent being emotional is important. But we should be aware what the sources of our emotions are. It is dangerous to be a puppet due to our emotions, so people must attempt to be rational at all times.  

Writing Process

                Writing has typically been an uphill battle; I do not know how to start. I usually face “writer’s block” several times.  Towards the end, I have troubles with editing as well. And in order to avoid that dreaded downward spiral, I have devised a couple steps for the writing process.

                First off, I brainstorm all the possible ideas. If I am attempting to write a paper on a topic that I do not have enough supporting details for, I abandon it. I have found that this is a great way to prevent writer’s block and an easy way to come up with supporting details. At this stage, it is also easier to reject your idea, since you have not put that much thought into it yet. Therefore, you do not feel that all your efforts have been a waste. You should start researching, (if your paper needs more information).

                After brainstorming and research, I recommend creating an outline with all your supporting details. I typically create my outline immediately after brainstorming. Then, I have all my ideas fresh in my head. So, when I come back to look at my paper later I know what I have done and where I am headed.

                If I have not completed a basic outline, this is where my writer’s block usually kicks in. I want to start with a witty introduction, but my brain is incapable of doing so. I stare at a blank page for five minutes, then fifteen minutes, and before I know it an hour has past. I absolutely detest this feeling of being so unproductive. To avoid being mocked by a blank page, I suggest starting with the first body paragraph, instead of an introduction.  You can always come back at the end and create a great introduction. This is much better than settling down for some scribbles on a page, which sound like gibberish.  

                Now that a basic draft is completed, revise your paper AT LEAST 5 MORE TIMES. In each edit, pay attention to the individual phrases to see if they help support your thesis. See if you convey your ideas in a concise statement and refrain from flamboyant word choice.  If the phrase or word choice does not help you, cut it out of the paper. This is where I become slightly hypocritical. I always have trouble cutting out huge chunks of writing that I slaved over for hours.  I feel as though all my efforts were wasteful. But in reality, this was required. By cutting out a piece of my writing, I became a better writer because I became concise.

                So after all these steps, hopefully you will have a spectacular polished paper. But if the finished product is not what you desire, you should go back to the passages that need a lot of revision. If you see that an additional step is required in your process, use that. The writing process should be personalized, so each individual can get the best pieces of writing possible. Once you have found a method that works for you do not make it concrete. Thus, you should evolve throughout your writing years.  But most important thing to keep in mind is to enjoy yourself while you write.  Because, that is what creates the masterpiece. 

This is my first blog and my first post on my blog! As I am technically challenged, I really hope I can navigate blogger easily.