Meriting Concern and Meriting Respect

摘要: Recently there has been a somewhat surprising interest among Kantian theorists in the moral standing of animals, coupled with no less optimism these about prospect incorporating animal into theory without contorting its other attractive features. These contend particular that can be incorporated abandoning logocentrism: claim everything is valuable depends for value on relation to rationality. In this essay I raise doubts prospects accommodating within logocentric Kantianism. argue instead best way incorporate admit more radical departures from Kant’s position by maintaining consciousness locus independent rationality.I propose we should attribute all conscious animals because capacity criterion distinguishing individuals whose well-being generates reasons fails do so. We need such speak things, as artifacts and meteorological phenomena, which clearly lack standing. Having already argued against view rationality, proceed also superior principal rival standing: life.On emerges discussion, have obligations show concern treating their providing us action; thus endorses typically advanced utilitarians. On distinct class respect rational individuals; persons distinctive (and higher) status virtue possession capacities. begin how insight each leading approach modern may captured unified theory.