Are human rights more important than animal rights?

Answer 1

This is a difficult question to answer. Both human rights and animal rights are very important to have in society. If you have to choose between one of them, however, it can be argued that human rights are more important than animal rights, simply because humans are on a higher ethical and intellectual level than animals, and as such humans are more aware of injustice and can therefore suffer more from injustice than animals. However, if you look at it from a moral point of view, you have to say both are equally important because if we as humans have to live in a society where there are only human rights and animals suffer and have no rights, we have lost our humanity and thus, are not human anymore and as a result our human rights become worthless.

Unfortunately, though, any discussion of rights tends to invoke the legal system of whatever nation you're in. The US court system does not recognize animal rights as usually defined due to the fact that animals cannot reasonably be expected to carry out any duties, and are accordingly denied rights. Animals are afforded protection against abuse, though the protection varies from state to state.

Answer 2

First of all, humans are animals. We are one species among many in the animal kingdom, and we all share the ability to suffer. Humans have qualities that are distinct from other animals, but none of these differences are morally relevant to how we should treat others. Humans may be more intelligent than other animals, for example, but just because you are more intelligent than someone else does not mean that their rights are less important.

Further, even if you believe that human rights are more important than the rights of other animals, is not at a justification for unnecessarily exploiting and killing them by the billions for food, clothing, and entertainment. Just because we may not value other animals as much we value humans, does not mean that we can do anything we want to them.

Most of us value our own family members more than we value strangers, but this doesn’t mean we are entitled to inflict needless harm on strangers. We don’t have to believe that the rights of non-human animals are as important as human rights to respect their basic desire to live and be free from suffering.

Answer 3

Absolutely NOT. Many Animals are way more important then humans. If you think this then you are self centered. Start thinking about other animals. All humans have done is destroy things.