A Thinking Reed

  • Things I learned today while listening to NPR

    Sonia Sotomayor is–get this–the first Hispanic person to be appointed to the Supreme Court! And only the third woman! Also, Republicans, it seems, are worried that she will rule as a liberal “judicial activist.” Democrats, on the other hand, insist that she will merely “apply the law” in the most mechanical fashion imaginable and never,…

  • Recent nibbles from Philosophy Bites

    I’ve flagged the excellent philosophy interview series Philosophy Bites before, but here are some recent highlights: –Political philosopher G.A. Cohern (who died yesterday-R.I.P.) on egalitarianism –Ben Rogers on Pascal’s Pensées –Christian philosopher and priest Marilyn McCord Adams on evil –Paul Snowdon on persons and animals

  • Links: food, animals, the environment, etc.

    This piece from the Boston Globe looks at the tensions between an increasing sense of idealism among zoo officials–they want to treat their animals better and raise awareness of wildlife conservation–and the undeniable need to entertain zoos’ human visitors. James McWilliams writes on the recent report out of the UK which found that organic foods…

  • In defense of the ELCA sexuality proposals

    Though the Episcopalians always get more press, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s biennial churchwide assembly later this month will consider recommendations related to the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of non-celibate gay and lesbian Christians. The church appointed a “Sexuality Task Force” to study the issue and present recommendations, which it has…

  • CofE vs. Anglicanism

    Interesting column by Giles Fraser: the genius of the Church of England has been to allow different theological temperaments to wor­ship alongside one other, united by common prayer and community spirit. This was how we recognised each other as members of the same Church. This was our particular charism, and we were widely valued for…

  • WASM 6: Concluding thoughts

    (See previous posts: 1|2|3|4|5) So, what has Linzey accomplished here? What I think his argument does–at least–is shift the burden of proof. Most of us, if we’re being honest, believe that animals suffer and that their suffering matters morally, at least to some degree. Few non-sociopaths think that it’s a matter of sheer moral indifference…

  • Friday Metal: August Burns Red, “Meddler”

    Lancaster, Pa., represents! more about "Friday Metal: August Burns Red, “Medd…", posted with vodpod

  • Dept. of straw men (and other animals)

    Not that it will dissuade anyone, but Julian Sanchez points out the obvious: I know very many vegetarians and vegans. I do not think a single one of them..holds the view that “animals are morally equivalent to humans.” The “moral equivalence” line is a staple of anti-animal-rights rhetoric. This isn’t to deny that there are–somewhere–vegetarians/vegans/AR…

  • WASM 5: sed contra

    (See previous posts: 1|2|3|4) In addition to the critique of Peter Singer, Linzey’s final chapter in Why Animal Suffering Matters contains replies to six objections: 1. The practices of hunting, fur farming, and sealing are relatively trivial and non-controversial compared to issues like animal testing. Linzey acknowledges that practices like animal testing and factory farming…

  • WASM 4: Linzey vs. Singer

    (Previous posts are here, here, and here.) In his concluding chapter to Why Animal Suffering Matters, Linzey does address one of the concerns I raised in my previous post in the course of taking some pains to distinguish his program from that of utilitarians like Peter Singer. While appreciating Singer’s contribution to the cause of…