Question

How does Joel Feinberg argue for the coherence of moral rights for animals? what minimal implications does Feinberg's model have for the way humans treat animals?

Answer 1

According to Joel Feinberg, animals lack rights because they lack conation and are incapable of having interests. However, animals need to have their rights because they do have rudimentary interests and conative urges. Therefore, as a society we would prefer individuals never to exhibit cruel behaviour towards animals. This is the coherence of moral rights for animals.

The minimal implication that Feinberg's model have for the way humans treat animals is that the he claims that treating animals with kindness is the right of every animal.