1. Difficulties with Strong Rights Position
Mary Anne Warren

2. Warren: rejects SRP; argues for WRP Weak animal rights (Warren):
Strong animal rights position (Regan) - Non-human mammals have essentially the same moral rights
Warren: rejects SRP; argues for WRP
Weak animal rights (Warren):
some non-human animals have rights
Rights should extend to all sentient creatures – capable of experiencing pleasure pain
Rights of animals are not identical in strength as rights of person

3. Regan’s View Equal inherent value of all Subjects-of-a-life
Derive: strong moral rights
Derive: Respect Principle: do not treat beings with inherent value as mere receptacles – mere means to an end
Derive: Harm Principle – we have a direct prima facie duty not to harm being who have inherent value
So, lead to moral rights
Moral rights – claims to certain goods and against certain beings (they may be overridden)

4. Mystery of Inherent Value
Inherent/Intrinsic Value
“something is valuable for its own sake as opposed to being valuable for the sake of something else to which it is related in some way”
Inherent value defined in negative terms
E.g. inherent value is not instrumental value
Like defining an abstract object – not a physical object
Reasons to think that we cannot have just instrumental value – suppose there was only instrumental value then we do everything for the sake of something else; there would be no end that all other ends seek to accomplish
This doesn’t tell us what intrinsic value is
A non-natural property which we must take on faith (a postulate)
What has inherent value?

5. The problem is that Regan view depends on their being inherent value of all subjects-of-life
Respect principle (treat things as ends in themselves)
But, can’t show connection if we don’t understand clearly inherent value

6. Drawing the line? Regan draws a sharp line
Warren: difficult to know where the line is (given that we don’t know very much about how animals neurological systems work)
What should we do given that we don’t know? Regan – benefit of doubt.
Obj: but, then we would have to ascribe rights to a whole host of animals – where it is virtually impossible to live

7. Essay
You are arguing for a position; heavily relying on Author’s on views
Pick an issue (see question)
Examples of Theses you might argue for:
Critical Theses:
Singer’s view fails – i.e. Singer fails to establish that we have any obligations to animas
Singer’s view is correct – but not for the reasons he gives
Agree with Singer (in which case you will have to consider some objections to the view that he does not consider, and/or elaborate on the objections given)

8. Sample Structure Intro: setup issue, say what you will be arguing for
Exposition:
Describe the view you are discussing
How is this view supported? Is there an argument that is offered? A definition?
Consider Objections:
Objections that are taken up in the paper? Or from another paper?
Replies. How would the person