A Thinking Reed

  • WASM 1: The difference that difference makes

    In chapter 1 of Why Animal Suffering Matters, Linzey identifies several differences between humans and non-human animals that are typically offered as justifications for disregarding the interests of animals. In a neat twist, though, he aims to show that, properly understood, they call for a greater consideration of animal interests. Animals as natural slaves: Aristotle…

  • Statism

    “Statism” is a word that obscures more than it clarifies. Conservatives and libertarians tend to use it for any government program they don’t like. But everyone who’s not an anarchist admits the need of a state of some sort. The question is what the appropriate duties of the state are. Hence, I don’t find this…

  • Boldly not going

    At the risk of sounding crassly utilitarian, I think it’s frankly a dumb idea to send manned space missions to Mars (or even back to the Moon) when there are plenty of problems here on planet Earth whose amelioration could benefit from that sort of concerted national effort and cash (take your pick: extreme poverty,…

  • Coming attractions

    Last week I received my copy of Andrew Linzey’s new book, Why Animal Suffering Matters. I’ve only just started it, but it looks like Linzey develops in more detail an argument that he’s deployed in some of his other works: the differences between animals and humans, instead of justifying a lower moral status for animals,…

  • Got to admit it’s getting better

    Marvin writes that he hasn’t been inspired to do much blogging lately, partly because things are so much better than they were a few years ago: Politically, everything’s coming up roses. Brick by brick, the Obama administration and the Democratic Congress are laying the foundation for a progressive future. I think a lot of liberal…

  • A berry enjoyable morning

    It’s been uncharacteristically pleasant weather here for July. Today we drove to Homestead Farm in Maryland for some pick-your-own produce (blackberries and some peaches). I commented on Facebook on the irony of doing something for leisure that others do as backbreaking labor. Seems a bit decadent. On the other hand, blackberries are actually pretty easy…

  • Friday metal: Ladies’ Night

    All-female metal bands are a rarity, but the Canadian group Kittie have shown considerable staying power:

  • What’s going on with TEC?

    The headlines say that the Episcopal Church has overturned its “moratorium” on gay bishops. N.T. Wright, predictably, scolds the Americans for fomenting “schism.” But more nuanced interpretations of what’s going on are available. See Christopher here and Father Jones at the Anglican Centrist here.

  • “Humane”

    Nearly all vocal critics of animal rights/liberation insist that they are absolutely in favor of the “humane” treatment of animals. It’s simply the radical claims or agenda of animal liberation that they oppose. Assuming they’re arguing in good faith, then, it should to be possible to construct an agenda for improving the treatment of animals…

  • Christians need not apply?

    Following up on the news that Francis Collins has been nominated to head the NIH, Slate has a curious article asking whether Collins is too religious for such a position. The article makes it clear that Collins has impeccable credentials (MD, PhD in physical chemistry, coordinator of the national genome project); not only believes in…