HUMAN OBLIGATIONS AND THE QUALITIES OF
ANIMALS TO CONSIDER WHEN DECIDING
WHETHER TO PROTECT THEM
Many living organisms are used by humans, and
many others are affected by human activities. The
issue of the grounds on which we should be concerned
about them, and which of them we should protect in
some way, is also considered by D. M. Broom & K. E.
Littin (unpubl.). Every living organism is likely to be
the subject of more reverence than an inanimate object
because living organisms are qualitatively different
from inanimate objects in complexity, potential and
aesthetic quality. This can affect decisions about
whether to kill the organism and whether to conserve
such organisms. As a consequence of their ability to
respond and behave, we consider that we have more
obligations to an animal than to a micro-organism
or plant. We feel concerned about their welfare,
especially in the case of the more complex animals
(Broom 2003). Which kinds of animal deserve such
consideration?