Basic Principle of Equality, Research Paper Example

The argument advanced by Singer on animal equality in his writing ‘All Animals are Equal’ is supposed to be accorded an advanced level of serious consideration. The first concept that Singer puts forward involves a ‘principle of equality’ or the ‘principle of equal consideration of interests’ , being considered as a fundamental moral principle (Singer, 1990). According to this principle, all people deserve to be treated as equals. The implication of this is that, the interests of all people must be given equal consideration. It also implies that, the interests of individuals must be treated as equally important, not considering the gender, the color of the skin and sexual orientation for example.

Consequently, racism, homophobia as well as sexism violates an important principle of equality because the acts are associated with discrimination to allow for favoring of some interests associated with one particular group over the interests of another group. The same principle may also be given the title – ‘principle of non-discrimination’ (Singer, 1990).

Singer goes further to advocate for the extension and reinterpretation of the principle of equality to cover all existing sentient beings and not only human beings. By this he implies all beings endowed with potentials of becoming happy or enjoy. This therefore translates the principle to ‘treat all the sentient beings as being equal’ or ‘give an equal consideration to interests of sentient beings’, not counting on their species or from which species they belong.

Singer uses strong evidence from the Bible to support his postulation by quoting Leviticus 19:18 “You shall not take retribution or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord”

Reference

Singer, P., (1990). Animal Liberation, 2^nd Ed. New York, 1975.