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I agree completely. People will say there is more to it than that, I mean, ethics is a big branch of philosophy, but I think "you feel bad when you do something wrong" is what makes you a moral subject. I'd say that animals are moral subjects in that they are sensitive to ruptures in relationships and expectations. The first time I fell off a horse the horse was a lot more shook up than I was. A cat doesn't feel guil…
I agree completely. People will say there is more to it than that, I mean, ethics is a big branch of philosophy, but I think "you feel bad when you do something wrong" is what makes you a moral subject. I'd say that animals are moral subjects in that they are sensitive to ruptures in relationships and expectations. The first time I fell off a horse the horse was a lot more shook up than I was. A cat doesn't feel guil…
Accountability is especially beautiful when self directed. It isn't us holding the cat accountable for the vase. That is pointless. The cat holding itself responsible, that is what makes our relationship with them possible.
Like whether they are cued by your feelings (I don't think so in that case where I found falling off a horse often isn't very painful or scary, like the geometry is usually favorable for you and it's not like you are falling in free space but you are in contact with a body that can slow down your fall... and you might very well smack it in the mouth with the bit or yank its head with the reins) or a violation of the script, or maybe just "common sense" empathy.
It's a running gag in our family that people are writing papers proving horses, dogs, cats, corvids and other animals have various cognitive-social capabilities, particularly regarding "theory of mind" because if you have dealings with animals it is pretty obvious that they're socially intelligent, probably about as much as us. Doing the experiments are hard though because of things like
As humans, we actually enjoy work. Not all work; but having a purpose and doing something meaningful. We hate to admit it, but it’s true. That’s why people who retire sometimes die quickly after. Pass that wine.
But I agree that "purpose" is critical to life. I tend to think of it as having a meaningful role in our "community" - but there seems to be wide flexibility in what defines a community. I was certain for a very long time that we had to work to live meaningful lives, and I think I've drifted slightly away from that notion over the last year. We just need to be important to at least one other person. There is great deal of "work" involved in just doing that.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Accountability is especially beautiful when self directed. It isn't us holding the cat accountable for the vase. That is pointless. The cat holding itself responsible, that is what makes our relationship with them possible.
When you get into "animal morality" I think there is near-consensus now that "animals can be moral" but huge disagreement over exactly what that means! Like whether they are cued by your feelings (I don't think so in that case where I found falling off a horse often isn't very painful or scary, like the geometry is usually favorable for you and it's not like you are falling in free space but you are in contact with a…