The morality and ethics of hunting : towards common ground
Date
1999-12
Authors
Patterson, Claire
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
The hunters and anti-hunting have been arguing for years over whether or not trophy hunting
should be allowed. While attempts have been made to resolve the issue, no widely
acceptable solution has yet been found. Hunters have put forward various arguments
including: religion, instinct, sustainable utilization, money, excessive populations and the
wildlife management support argument. These have usually been criticized for being
management orientate and not addressing the focal question of the anti-hunters: 'What gives
man the right to hunt'. Anti-hunters have countered these arguments and presented new
ones. These include: cruelty, animal rights, animal liberation, special and rare species as well
as religion and wildlife management support arguments. The anti-hunters have used
sympathy and emotion to gain support for their movement while making effective use of the
media. Hunters on the other hand have been slow to make use of this communication tool.
In presenting their arguments, a fundamental difference has been identified between the use
of the various terms. The seemingly simple word 'ethics' has been used by the hunters to
mean a code of conduct while the anti-hunters have used this word in indicate the morality of
man's actions. The inherent value of an animal has also been debated. Does an animal
have value in and of itself or does it only have value in that it is useful to man? Furthermore,
is it the individual animal, the species or the population which has value? The value of wildlife
as a natural resource and the right to use this resource is also discussed. Do developed
countries have the right to determine the use that a developing country may make of its
resources? Leopold's land ethics is discussed an it is shown how hunting preserves the
integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community. In order to address the issues raised by
the debate, it is necessary for the hunters and the anti-hunters to be willing to work towards
common goals. It is unlikely that either side would ever be willing to give up their position but
if they can agree to work towards some common goals, the long on-going debate would have
achieved something. For this reason, four solution to this debate are looked at and analyzed.
Their weakness and failures are discussed as well as their strong points. Taylor's Priority
Principles are then analyzed to identify the first steps that need to be taken in draWing up
guidelines for hunting. While this assignment does not attempt to identify these guidelines it
does point out the need to have such guidelines and establishes that there can be common
ground. Also, that it is desirable to achieve this aim. The assignment highlights the need for
groups to work towards common goals without having to give up their beliefs and standpoints.
There will be time later to determine whether or not man should hunt. In the meantime, man
should be focussing on hunting ethically - both in the moral sense and within the framework
of a good code of conduct.
Description
Thesis (MPhil (Philosophy))--University of Stellenbosch, 1999.
Keywords
Dissertations -- Philosophy, Theses -- Philosophy, Dissertations -- Applied ethics, Theses -- Applied ethics