Application of Normative Ethical Theories
~ Animals Life Issues ~
Use of Animals in Blood Sports
Blood sports are sports involving harm or death of animals, done so for the purpose of
entertainment e.g. fishing, bull fighting, hunting.
- Animals cannot consent
- Blood sports can have negative psychological effects on humans as they may become
desensitised to animal suffering
- Unnecessary -> purely for entertainment / no medical benefits for wider society
Application of Normative Theories
Natural Moral Law
1. Hierarchy of Souls - Aquinas agreed with Aristotle’s hierarchy of souls
2. Dominion - humans have God-given dominion over animals
- ‘It matters not how man behaves to animals because God has subjected all things to Man’s
Power’ (Summa Theologica)
3. Fulfil Purpose - animals are aiding / benefitting human life as people gain pleasure /
happiness from blood sports -> legitimate use of animals
4. However: Catechism of the Catholic Church
- ‘it is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly’
- Blood sports have a negative impact of human life too
5. Stewardship - we have a duty to show kindness and respect to God’s creation
6. Intention matters - good interior acts should always be accompanied with good intention
- blood sports do not cultivate the virtue of compassion which is key to achieving good
7. Animals cannot fulfil higher purpose - suffering is not necessary as it serves human
entertainment not their survival needs -> selfish
8. Playing God - humans decide when animals die / interfere with God’s plan
9. Primary Precept: nurture the young
- blood sports indirectly teach the young that violence and disrespect of life are acceptable
Evaluating NML approach to Using Animals in Blood Sports
Strengths Weaknesses
Consistent and Absolute - provides clear Primary Precepts are unclear - does
guidelines / fulfils humans’ need for rules preservation of life apply to humans or
animals, or both?
Aquinas & Dominion Stewardship - ‘cultivate and care for animals’
‘God has subjected all things to man’s power’ - we can use animals but not excessively or
- clear stance on human status above animals unnecessarily (other means for pleasure)
Fox supports Hierarchy of Souls - animals are Counter to Fox: not all humans display
not part of the moral community so have a faculties for moral capability e.g. children /
lower status than humans mental ill people but lives are still respected
~ Animals Life Issues ~
Use of Animals in Blood Sports
Blood sports are sports involving harm or death of animals, done so for the purpose of
entertainment e.g. fishing, bull fighting, hunting.
- Animals cannot consent
- Blood sports can have negative psychological effects on humans as they may become
desensitised to animal suffering
- Unnecessary -> purely for entertainment / no medical benefits for wider society
Application of Normative Theories
Natural Moral Law
1. Hierarchy of Souls - Aquinas agreed with Aristotle’s hierarchy of souls
2. Dominion - humans have God-given dominion over animals
- ‘It matters not how man behaves to animals because God has subjected all things to Man’s
Power’ (Summa Theologica)
3. Fulfil Purpose - animals are aiding / benefitting human life as people gain pleasure /
happiness from blood sports -> legitimate use of animals
4. However: Catechism of the Catholic Church
- ‘it is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly’
- Blood sports have a negative impact of human life too
5. Stewardship - we have a duty to show kindness and respect to God’s creation
6. Intention matters - good interior acts should always be accompanied with good intention
- blood sports do not cultivate the virtue of compassion which is key to achieving good
7. Animals cannot fulfil higher purpose - suffering is not necessary as it serves human
entertainment not their survival needs -> selfish
8. Playing God - humans decide when animals die / interfere with God’s plan
9. Primary Precept: nurture the young
- blood sports indirectly teach the young that violence and disrespect of life are acceptable
Evaluating NML approach to Using Animals in Blood Sports
Strengths Weaknesses
Consistent and Absolute - provides clear Primary Precepts are unclear - does
guidelines / fulfils humans’ need for rules preservation of life apply to humans or
animals, or both?
Aquinas & Dominion Stewardship - ‘cultivate and care for animals’
‘God has subjected all things to man’s power’ - we can use animals but not excessively or
- clear stance on human status above animals unnecessarily (other means for pleasure)
Fox supports Hierarchy of Souls - animals are Counter to Fox: not all humans display
not part of the moral community so have a faculties for moral capability e.g. children /
lower status than humans mental ill people but lives are still respected
