Introduction to Philosophy Ethics and Values Essay – Arts & Humanities Assignment Help

Assignment Task

Task 

Topic
Do animals have rights or do only human beings have rights? Discuss Carl Cohen’s critique of animal rights. What are Cohen’s main grounds for denying that animals have rights? Then, consider Tom Regan’s defense of animal rights. Outline those aspects of Regan’s discussion that are most readily seen as critiquing a position like Cohen’s. Does Regan succeed in refuting Cohen’s view, or does Cohen have grounds for a persuasive response? In other words, who do you think has the upper hand in this debate? Argue for your position.
Some helpful hints: 

• Note that this essay topic specifically emphasizes the issue of animal rights. Not everything covered in either Cohen’s or Regan’s articles is directly relevant to the debate about rights. Therefore, you will want to be selective in your choice of material from these readings. Making good choices about what material is most relevant is part of your task in this essay.
• In arguing for your own position, your reasoning should be responsive to relevant aspects of Cohen’s and Regan’s respective arguments. Your principal aim in the essay should be to provide a reasoned evaluation of the philosophers’ arguments, and to support the conclusions you draw. You should not attempt to support your view in any way that ignores, or radically reframes, the terms of the debate.
• The articles by Regan and Cohen should be accessed via the links provided in the Module 7 listing in the Course Schedule. These readings are not available in the course’s e-text.

Further Guidelines

• Your paper should begin with a very brief introductory paragraph, introducing the main issue of the paper as well as indicating your own critical position (i.e., your thesis). A concluding paragraph is optional.

• You should make an effort to present the arguments of the focal philosophers in your own words. Direct quotations should be kept brief (one or two sentences) and used only for the purpose of illustrating points you have explained in your own terms.

• You should try to strike a balance between the tasks of (a) presenting the arguments of the focal philosophers and (b) expressing your own critical perspective through your evaluation. It is important to attend to both of these tasks.