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Animal Minds and Animal Ethics

Module description

How smart are non-human animals? In this module, we investigate this question by considering whether and how non-human animals exhibit consciousness, inferential reasoning, communication, social behaviour, and moral norms. To examine these issues, the module brings together scientific and philosophical literature on both human and non-human cognition. This examination leads to another type of question, namely: how should we treat smart non-human animals? The module is highly recommended for interdisciplinary pathways, and it is suitable for non-specialist students interested in animal studies broadly construed, the philosophy of mind, and primatology.

Module aims - intentions of the module

In this module, we will engage in the most important debates around the mental and cognitive capacities of non-human animals and their ethical consequences. We will examine how traditional philosophical questions about the nature of consciousness, rationality, and moral norms apply to non-human animals. To conduct this examination, we will also rely on empirical studies from different sciences, in particular primatology. Hence, this module is highly interdisciplinary and enables students to gain comprehensive knowledge about the empirical and conceptual problems around animal minds. Students will learn to assess positions and arguments in this debate, connecting this debate with ethical issues on animal rights. Moreover, students will develop the ability to apply their knowledge to current affairs (e.g., policies on animal rights), to conduct responsible research, among other valuable skills for future employment. 

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Identify and discuss key issues in the contemporary debate around the nature of animal minds and their ethical implications
• 2. Distinguish and evaluate the central positions and arguments concerning the nature of animal minds and their ethical implications
• 3. Articulate the connection between positions in animal minds and animal ethics

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Demonstrate a good understanding of philosophical distinctions, concepts, and how they apply to real-world cases
• 5. Demonstrate competency in evaluating philosophical positions, arguments, and methods

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 6. Demonstrate clear and concise writing
• 7. Demonstrate competency in integrating, synthesizing, and applying new knowledge
• 8. Engage in independent research, within a limited time frame, to develop positions and arguments

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

• Animal Consciousness: What is it like to be non-human?
• Reasoning, Concepts and Beliefs: Do Non-Human Animals think?
• Mindreading: Do non-human animals know each other’s beliefs?
• Communication: Do non-human animals have a language?
• Moral Norms: Do non-human animals create rules?
• Animal Ethics: How should we treat smart non-human animals?

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or to defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to the exam board for approval. For obvious reasons, reassessment cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In case the form of re-assessment is the same, the content will be nevertheless different.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Andrews, K. (2014). The animal mind: An introduction to the philosophy of animal cognition. Routledge.

Andrews, K., & Beck, J. (Eds.). (2017). The Routledge handbook of philosophy of animal minds. Taylor & Francis.

Stegmann, U. (Ed.). (2013). Animal communication theory: information and influence. Cambridge University Press.

Key words search

Cognition; mind, animal studies