Prevention of cruelty

In other news, if some activists have their way (not sure from the article how likely this is) the Austrian gov't may decide to give monkeys legal protection as persons (including "right to life") though it denies it to human babies in the womb. 

My head hurts just reading this because of all the half-baked philosophy going on here.

If the "99.4% similar DNA code" argument works on them, I know something that has 100% human DNA that isn't being granted the right to life.  Somehow I don't think that will move them, though.  Remember a few posts ago when I talked about the David Hume model of moral decision-making?  I think that is what is in operation here.

Comments

[Publius]

Here's an idea: if Hiasl gets declared a person, the judge who did it should immediately be stripped and kicked out of the courthouse and Hiasl should be dressed in his robes and seated on his bench during working hours for the rest of his life. Call it a symbolic reminder of the extent of idiocy and mischief the judiciary is capable of.

[Neil]

Their food and veterinary bills run about $6,800 a month

I thought Notre Dame undergrads paid their handlers a fortune. Perhaps both species could do with a few less pastries.

[PeterTerp]

So, if primates become people, then it seems to me there are going to be a lot fewer monkeys in zoos. If children see fewer real live monkeys, then fewer children are going to be inspired either to care about primates or to want to research them when they grow up. If people stop caring about primates, they'll end up driven to extinction. The only reason why people care about primates is because they are NOT people. Just look at how people treat each other.